RELIGIOUS SIMILITUDE ; 



OR, 

A GUIDE TO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 

BY 

REV. L. S. HUFFMAN, 

A Member of the Virginia Conference of the 
M. E. Church. 



INTRODUCTION BY 




FRIEND. 



BALTIMORE : 
J. Lanahan, n8 E. Baltimore St. 
1890. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1890, 
By L. S. Huffman, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 



CONTENTS. 



5 

Introduction 5 

Chapter 1 15 

Chapter II. — A Discussion of Creeds ; a Ter- 
rific Storm ; Steadfast's Speech 35 

Chapter III. — Temptation's Exploits; Subse- 
quent History of the Backsliders ; De- 
ception's Exploits 57 

Chapter IV.— The Skepticism on Fire ; A 

Sad Incident 79 

Chapter Y. — The Emperor is Chagrined at 
his Loss ; The Backslide and the Luke- 
warm ; A Naval Battle ; Execution of 
Indifference 98 



iv Contents. 

Chapter VI.— Pilgrim Left While Sleeping; 
Entertained at a Light-house ; His Ex- 
perience in the Land of Yain Glory . . . 120 

Chapter YII. — Faithful and Convert in Van- 
ity Island Castle ; They are brought to 
Trial before Deceit 151 

Chapter VIII.— The Landing of the Zion... 170 



INTRODUCTION. 



The author of this little work has been 
for some years engaged in the work of 
saving souls. He feels that all he can do 
is but little compared to what is required 
of him as a faithful steward of the Master. 
Although actively engaged in preaching the 
gospel to immortal souls and in pastoral 
visitations, and on all occasions lifting up 
his voice for that which is "honest, lovely, 
and of good report," he yet feels it incum- 
bent upon him to do more. Thus realizing 
that he, as a faithful minister of the Lord 
Jesus Christ, must be always up and doing 
in the work of soul-saving, he has occupied 
his spare moments in the writing of this 
little book. He therefore presents it to the 



6 



Introduction, 



public, trusting that much good may re- 
sult from its perusal ; that some poor pil- 
grim on the journey to the Celestial City 
may be helped on his way ; that some of 
earth's weary toilers may be cheered and 
strengthened on their way to that land where 
"the King in His beauty" reigns, and where 
they shall "shine as the stars for ever and 
ever." 

Some may sneer at the idea of present- 
ing such a little volume to the public, and, 
because the author is unknown in the lit- 
erary world, may criticise its contents ; but 
let all such remember that small things are 
not always to be despised. The rose in 
stately pride rears its head above the hum- 
bler flowers of the garden, and we are too 
often attracted by its beauty and the fra- 
grance of its perfume, while we entirely 
overlook its humbler sister, the violet. Con- 
tent to nod and smile under the shade of 
the rose, it teaches us a grander lesson — 
humility. Modest and retiring though it 
be, the violet has its purpose to fulfill, its 
place in nature to occupy ; and its mission 
is performed equally as well as that of its 



Introduction. 



7 



pround and stately sisters. Among the lumi- 
nous orbs of the firmament some stars shine 
more brilliantly than others ; but without 
the. smaller stars the harmony of nature 
would be destroyed. So, if the author of 
this work does not shine as luminously and 
resplendently as some of the greater stars 
of the literary world, he is content to be 
one of the inferior stars, using what talent 
has been given him in such a way as will 
be pleasing to Him who, when He comes, 
will demand an account from His servants 
of that which has been intrusted to their 
care. 

Lkonidas Shannon Huffman was born 
in Monroe County, Virginia (now West Vir- 
ginia), on the 1 8th of May, i860. 

The following year the Civil War began, 
and his father, being called from home, 
took up arms for that which he thought 
was right. His hopes and aspirations lay 
in his State ; he loved her and her insti- 
tutions, and, as a true son of Virginia, op- 
posed to the best of his power the onward 
march of the invader. His wife — left with- 
out a protector, and living in a part of the 



8 



Introduction. 



country that was favorable for the conceal- 
ment of deserters from both armies, also 
favorable for the camping of those who, not 
belonging to the regular armies, nevertheless 
followed them for raiding purposes — was 
upon several occasions forced to take her 
infant son in her arms and flee to the 
mountains. 

At the close of the war his father returned 
home to assume his domestic and parental 
relations, but returned poor. He had al- 
most nothing left, save his wife and family. 
He toiled on for a' few years, when he moved 
to what is now known as Summers County, 
and bought a mountain-farm in the midst 
of an almost unbroken forest. To buy this 
farm he had to go in debt, which kept him 
in very straitened circumstances. As a con- 
sequence, his children received but little 
education, yet he taught them the great 
lessons of industry and perseverance. He 
also brought up his family in the nurture 
and admonition of the Lord. Poor, yet rich 
in the gifts and graces of a Christian life ; 
rich in the possession of the "pearl of great 
price.' ' 



Introduction. 



9 



Our author, at the early age of twelve 
years, was awakened to a sense of his need 
of a Saviour, and was happily converted, 
after which he connected himself with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. From that 
time till he arrived at his twentieth year 
he lived with his parents, "and was subject 
to them." The severe and arduous labors 
of the farm gave him but little time for 
educational purposes ; but, with an inquiring 
mind and no small degree of talent, he was 
able to keep in the front rank of the little 
army of scholars that resided in his native 
county. Never dreaming that he would 
enter the ministry, he acquired a knowledge 
of agricultural pursuits and the hard labor 
of the farm, which have made him popular 
with the tillers of the soil to whom he now 
ministers. We have heard him say that his 
experience in "rail-splitting" was such that 
he would be willing to test his skill and 
strength with Abraham Lincoln. 

At the age of twenty, having a desire to 
educate himself, he left the parental roof, 
and went as a State student to the Normal 
School at Concord, West Virginia. After 



IO 



Introduction. 



fourteen months' study he would have grad- 
uated had it not been for a small-pox panic 
which closed the session prematurely. He 
then spent three years teaching in the State ; 
after which, in the Spring of 1884, he en- 
tered the ministry, and became a member 
of the Virginia Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

His first appointment was Lewisburg 
charge, as junior preacher. A first effort 
to preach is always a severe trial, and his 
was no exception. A large congregation 
had gathered, — some, we believe, to pray 
for and sympathize with him, others turned 
out for no other purpose than to hear the 
"new preacher." As he rode up to the 
meeting-house and saw so many fine, intel- 
ligent-looking people, his heart began to 
beat a little faster than the regular number, 
seventy; for he afterwards said, that he 
pitied the people who would soon be so 
badly disappointed. But strong in his trust 
in God, he took the stand, after asking God's 
blessing on this first attempt to preach, and 
to make him an humble instrument for the 
salvation of souls. The Lord sustained him 



Introduction. 



1 1 



and the word was preached in a powerful 
manner. He was greatly encouraged by 
hearing it whispered about afterward among 
the people, that "he did well for a boy." 

The next time he came around to that 
appointment, encouraged with his previous 
success, he thought the "Presiding Elder's 
Sermon" would be in order; so he prepared 
to preach it. His manuscript was arranged 
with care and committed to memory ; but, 
alas for human endeavor without the aid of 
grace divine, it was a failure. Everything 
slipped his memory, and he vainly tried to 
recall that "Presiding Elder's Sermon," but 
it was gone. When he dismissed the con- 
gregation, he had almost made up his mind 
to give up the ministry ; but on the way to 
Brother Arch. Hume's house, that brother 
persuaded him to persevere on and never 
give up the good work on which he had 
entered. 

From that day he has wholly trusted in 
God, and has never been forsaken. The 
people on that circuit were very kind to 
him, but the following year he was removed 
to Pott's Creek Circuit, where he was well 



I 2 



Introduction. 



received — the people bestowing favors and 
kindnesses upon him all over the charge. 

While laboring among the people on this 
circuit, he, after much deliberation, came to 
the conclusion that "it was not good for man 
to be alone," and, acting according to the 
conclusion arrived at, married Miss Lizzie 
Allen. But before doing so, he consulted 
"with the brethren," and was much en- 
couraged by them. One brother said it was 
a wise step he proposed taking ; for, said 
he, "I was married at the age of eighteen, 
and all that I regret is, that I did not marry 
sooner." He has always found his wife to 
be, in the true sense of the word, a bless- 
ing, a rare treasure, a priceless jewel. 

His next appointment was to Pendleton 
Circuit, where he again found a kind and 
generous people. He served them for two 
years, and was sorry when the time came 
for his removal. 

He was next sent to Highland Circuit, 
where he now is, and again found kind and 
generous people. He preaches the gospel 
faithfully to them, and they give him, in 
return, their esteem, respect, and confidence. 



Introduction. 



i3 



In all, his preaching has been very suc- 
cessful. Many have been drawn from the 
error of their ways and converted under his 
ministrations. 

The foregoing sketch will serve to intro- 
duce to the reader L. S. Huffman, and 
feeling it unnecessary to say more, we will 
close by stating that souls, not gain or noto- 
riety, has been his object in writing this 
book. The work of the Master is dear to 
him, and he is ever ready for the call of 
duty. He trusts that the writing of this 
book has not been in vain. May he long 
be spared to disseminate the glorious truths 
of the gospel to a dying people ; and when 
his work here is done, may his name and 
the names of his readers and all of his 
hearers be "written in the Lamb's book of 
life." 

A. B. 



mmm similitude, 



CHAPTER I. 



There was an empire, founded in ancient 
days, whose dominion embraces all the 
continents and islands of the terra firma. 
Satan, who wields the imperial scepter over 
this vast region, has outlived the ages and 
rules with the iron rod of absolutism. The 
lives and property of this despot's subjects 
are not regarded, but his greatest delight 
is the shedding of blood. When not en- 
gaged in war these miserable subjects are 
handcuffed, chained, and fettered, or else 



i6 



Religious Similitude. 



burdened to death under the yoke of servi- 
tude. 

There are many task-masters in authority 
throughout all of Satan's dominions, whose 
business it is to chastise without mercy those 
who fail to comply with the mean behests 
of the emperor. This enslaved people are 
so benighted that they will lie, steal, drink, 
murder, blaspheme, commit adultery, and 
commit all manner of crime. The emperor 
delights in all of this, and has enacted a 
law compelling his subjects to do all these 
things. He also puts out the eyes of his 
subjects, for fear that they may flee his 
dominion. Poor people, how wretched and 
miserable they must be ! Their lives being 
made so miserable by the galling chains of 
bondage, I wonder not at so many suicides 
among them. 

It was my lot to pass through this wretched 
empire, and witness all of its direful realities 
and unspeakable wretchedness. I had often 
heard much said concerning the sufferings, 
scourgings, and executions of the unfortu- 
nate people of this ungodly and infamous 
land. 



Religions Similitude \ 



Now, beyond the confines of this empire 
exists a very great kingdom, called Heaven. 
This celestial kingdom is ruled with the 
rod of love, swayed by Messiah. His sub- 
jects are clad in beautiful garments, and 
are so much loved by Him that He does 
not recognize His people as subjects, but 
as children, and bestows vast riches upon 
them. If they suffer, He alleviates their 
suffering ; if they mourn, He comforts them ; 
and when they "pass through the valley of 
the shadow of death," His rod and staff go 
with them. 

Messiah is so exceedingly wealthy and 
great that crowns, diadems, and thrones are 
but trifles in His sight. Suns, worlds, and 
satellites roll at His feet. His subjects con- 
tinually dwell in glorious light and cry, 
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!" 
"He hath on His vesture and on His thigh 
a name written, King of kings and Lord of 
Lords." 

Between the empire of Satan and this 
celestial kingdom rolls a vast sea, called 
Time. Over this sea sails a vessel of un- 
told capacity, called the £ion, This vessel 



i8 



Religions Similitude. 



has for her commander Messiah. The object 
of the Zion is to carry those who may be 
delivered from the tyranny of Satan's em- 
pire and entered upon their pilgrimage to 
the heavenly land. 

Upon that end of Satan's empire nearest 
the sea is built a famous city, whose popu- 
lation is many millions.- This is the chief 
city of the empire and is known by the 
name of Wickedness, and has walls great 
and high. 

Owing to the lion's immense size and 
her iron-clad bulwarks, Messiah thought it 
wise to have smaller vessels that can sail 
out to the very beach on which Wickedness 
stands, and thus accommodate any of the 
citizens who may desire to get on board 
the Zion and sail to Heaven. The smallest 
of the subordinate vessels is known as the 
Repentance. This vessel is quite light, and 
is designed to push clear out to the beach, 
through shallow water, and perform service 
there, under command of Captain Convic- 
tion. 

The next vessel is somewhat heavier than 
the Repentance, and is designed for deeper 



Religions Similitude. 



19 



water, and is called the Faith, Captain Be- 
lief. The third vessel is the Conversion, 
Captain Surrender, and designed to sail be- 
tween the Faith and the Zion. 

Messiah declared war against Satan, be- 
cause of his cruelty toward his subjects, 
and for treason and usurpation. The men 
who have charge of the subordinate vessels 
are skillful in war and are men of valor, 
insomuch that Emperor Satan fears them 
more than any other men in Messiah's ser- 
vice. Those men in their vessels push out 
to the city of Wickedness, and make such 
heav r y assaults upon her as to batter her 
walls down and enter in, and carry away 
thousands of the citizens. 

Now in this city lived a man whose name 
was Pilgrim ; the same was a famous man 
in Wickedness. During his sojourn there 
not a few hard-fought battles occurred be- 
tween the Zionists and the citizens. In the 
heat of one of these battles, while battering- 
rams, crowbars, and hammers were being 
wielded with wonderful force, breaches were 
made in the walls, and quite a number of 
the Zionists entered the city, to the chagrin 



20 



Religions Similitude, 



of the cannabalistic emperor. Many of the 
citizens fell during the battle ; among whom 
were Captain Scorn, who was brained by 
Captain Conviction ; and Sergeant Make- 
sport, who was cut down by the hand of 
Boanerges ; and Corporal Unbelief, who was 
slain by Steadfast. After this the excited 
citizens succeeded in getting behind some 
fortifications, and the Zionists were brought 
to a halt. 

Now Boanerges, from the battlements of 
the city, addressed the citizens as follows : 

" Gentlemen of the infamous city of Wick- 
edness, you have always resisted the power 
and majesty of the most noble Messiah, who 
desires to emancipate you from the slavish 
chains of your tyrannical emperor. 

" You have no peace or happiness in your 
city. Murder, drunkenness, rioting, lying, 
theft, adultery, and death are continually 
taking place among you. 'The wicked are 
like the troubled sea when it cannot rest, 
whose waters cast up mire and dirt.' 'There 
is no peace to the wicked.' 

"We have loved you so much as to haz- 
ard our lives for your sakes, that we may 



Religious Similitude. 



2 I 



deliver you from the bondage of Satan into 
the marvelous light and liberty of Messiah, 
who has promised you eternal life, if you 
will only throw off your allegiance to Satan, 
and come to Him. You have joined your 
ruler, who is the most bitter enemy of 
Messiah, and now we mean to destroy your 
city. However, if any of your citizens de- 
sire to escape for their lives, and will now 
come and get on board the Repentance, 
Captain Conviction will transfer them to the 
Faith ; and Captain Belief will place them 
on board of the Conversion ; Captain Sur- 
render will finally place them on board the 
Zion, and Messiah will safely land them in 
Heaven." 

There were some of the citizens so little 
concerned about what Boanerges was saying 
as to put their fingers in their ears and 
suffer Satan to put out their eyes, and were 
willing in this way to wear their lives out. 

Boanerges, on seeing this, just before the 
emperor had put out their eyes, cried with 
a loud voice : 

"Hear now this, O foolish people and 
without understanding ; which have eyes 

3 



22 



Religious Similitude. 



and see not, which have ears and hear 
not." 

Now when Boanerges saw the emperor 
take a hot iron and put out the eyes of 
many whom he thought might possibly be 
moved by the sense of sight as to desert 
the city, he cried with a loud voice: ''This 
people hath a revolting and a rebellious 
heart; they are revolted and gone." 

During these remarks the speaker was 
interrupted by the ill - behaved citizens. 
Some of them cried "false"; some, "trea- 
son"; some said, "We prefer remaining 
where we are and take the chances." 
There were also many fiery darts hurled at 
the speaker during the time that he was 
addressing the citizens ; but the darts did 
not hurt him, for he warded them off. 

As I passed along, it was my chance to 
see all these things, and it was very painful 
to me to see this miserable people fighting 
against their own interest ; but my heart was 
gladdened on seeing a man by the name 
of Pilgrim desert the city. He saw very 
clearly that, sooner or later, the city would 
be destroyed; and I heard, him ask Boanerges 



Religions Similitude. 23 



if the Great Commander of the Zion would 
pardon a poor, vile rebel like him. 

"Whosoever will," said Boanerges, "let 
him come. Ho ! every one that thirsteth, 
come ye to the waters ; and he that hath 
no money, come ye, buy and eat ; yea, 
come, buy wine and milk, without money 
and without price. Incline your ear and 
come unto Me. Hear, and your soul shall 
live. 

"Seek ye the Lord while He may be 
found ; call ye upon Him while He is near. 
Let the wicked forsake his ways, and the 
unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him 
return unto Messiah, and He will have 
mercy upon him ; and to our God, for He 
will abundantly pardon. 

"Come now, and let us reason together. 
Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall 
be as white as snow ; though they be red 
like crimson, they shall be as wool." 

As Boanerges quoted the following beau- 
tiful lines, Pilgrim resolved to make an 
effort to reach the 2ion, and be with Mes- 
siah, about whom he had heard so much. 



24 



Religious Similitude . 



"Let not conscience make yon linger, 
Nor of fitness fondly dream. 
All the fitness He requireth, 
Is to feel your need of Him." 

Now Pilgrim said to himself, ' ' If I stay 
here I must die ; so I will try to board the 
Zion and leave this place.' ' Many of the 
citizens of Wickedness tried to persuade 
him to stay ; but he would not. The em- 
peror, on hearing that he was about to 
leave, said, ''That will not do; for he has 
been a valiant man. I will go and persuade 
him not to leave..' ' So the emperor went 
in haste, and on reaching Pilgrim, said, "I 
understand that you are about to desert me 
and the great city of Wickedness. What is 
all this for?" 

"If I stay here," said Pilgrim, "as this 
city is to be destroyed, it is evident to me 
that I shall perish. I am informed that 
there is a blissful country beyond the sea, 
where there are no battles to fight or foes 
to fear." 

"Come, friend Pilgrim, you must not be- 
lieve all that you hear about the country 
beyond the sea ; for it may not be as good 



Religious Similitude . 



2.5 



a country, after all, as you think. There 
are many difficulties and storms that attend 
such a voyage as you are about to under- 
take. You had better be content to dwell 
where you are. I don't believe that Mes- 
siah would receive you, as you have been 
a great sinner." 

"Oh yes, He will ; for Boanerges has told 
me that He would." 

"Yes, I begin to understand it now. Bo- 
anerges has been stuffing your head full of 
forebodings, and has disturbed your brain. 
He has gotten many people into trouble 
before. You had better, friend Pilgrim, lie 
down and take a nap, and thereby settle 
your brain." 

"Oh no, it is not anything of that kind 
that aileth me, and surely I must go on 
board the Repentance, and thus make a 
start for Heaven." 

"You are doing a good business here, 
and making plenty of money, and if you 
desert the city you will always be poor," 
said the emperor. 

"I can 't help that," replied Pilgrim, 
"and go I must." So he made his way 



26 



Religions Similitude. 



over the rubbish of the shattered city-wall, 
with a bleeding heart and a troubled soul. 

I saw, w r hen Pilgrim reached Boanerges, 
that the latter took him by the hand and 
kindly assisted him in getting on board the 
Repentance. Now Captain Conviction, of 
this vessel, appeared very much reserved 
toward him, insomuch that he feared great- 
ly ; for Conviction had the appearance of an 
executioner. As the captain stepped toward 
him, with his sword gleaming in the air, he 
fell down and began to plead for mercy. 

"How dare you plead for mercy, after 
you have been such a rebel?" said Con- 
viction sternly. "You deserve death, and 
nothing short of it." Then Conviction be- 
gan to interrogate him as follows : 

"How long have you been a sinner and 
in open rebellion against Messiah?" 

"All my life," replied Pilgrim in a peni- 
tent manner. 

"Are you heartily sorry for it?" 

"My soul is sorrowful unto death." 

"Will you, in the event of your life 
being spared, swear eternal allegiance to 
Messiah?" 



Religious Similitude. 27 



"I will, though I don't believe that 
Messiah of the Zion would pardon me, if I 
could get to Him." Now then Pilgrim be- 
gan to cry aloud : ' ' Oh that I knew where 
to find Him ! O wretched man that I am ! 
\Yho shall deliver me from the body of this 
death?" To add more to his distress, the 
billows lashed against the vessel with such 
violence as to cause him to despair of all 
hope of ever reaching the Faith, much less 
reaching the Zion. Now there came to him 
Evangelist, a man who appeared to have 
the gentleness and meekness of an angel, 
and said, "Brother Pilgrim, be of good 
cheer ; for I am sent by the great Messiah 
to accompany you to the Zion." 

"Do you think, sir," said Pilgrim, "that 
the great Messiah of whom you speak will 
have compassion on me, in the event the 
surging billows spare my life, and Convic- 
tion does not slay me?" 

"No doubt He will ; for He came to save 
sinners just such as you are. Do not fear 
Conviction ; for he loves you, . though he 
has the appearance of an executioner ; that 
is his nature. Nor give thyself any trouble 



28 



Religious Similitude. 



about the waves of the sea ; for they always 
run high here ; but it is smoother farther 
on." Then Evangelist took him to the 
deck, and pointed out to him a lighthouse 
far out at sea. "Do you see that light- 
house out yonder?" asked Evangelist. 

' ' Yes ; it is so brilliant that one could 
not help but see it," replied Pilgrim. 

"When you reach there you will find the 
Faith awaiting your arrival. That light 
is put there by Messiah to guide seamen 
through this dark and stormy place." 

As the wind was favorable, it was not 
long until the Repentance arrived at the 
lighthouse. The anchor was cast, and many 
people were transferred to the Faith — Pil- 
grim being among the number. Captain 
Belief, of this vessel, was the most gentle 
and mild-spirited man that Pilgrim had ever 
seen. The graces of Messiah emanated 
from his face. Now, he was quite affable 
towards Pilgrim, and asked him to what 
country he was bound. Pilgrim told him 
that he was en route to Heaven. 

"Well," said Belief, "you will have to 
be transferred from this vessel to the Con- 



Religions Similitude. 



29 



version after a little time. Here is a chart, 
called the Bible, that has much to say 
concerning the country to which you are 
bound. There are two great lessons that 
it teaches : first, that man is a sinner, and, 
second, that Messiah came to save sinners. 
Do you believe these things ?" 

"I do, with all my heart," responded 
Pilgrim. 

"You take this with you," said Belief: 
it will be to you a chart indeed upon Time's 
great ocean. It will be to you also a com- 
pass by which you will be enabled to steer 
aright. This chart will answer you as a 
passport. Keep it with you until you enter 
Heaven." 

Belief, having admonished Pilgrim, then 
admonished all others on board the Faith 
likewise. After a few heavy gales of wind 
had beaten upon them, as a trial to their 
faith, the anchor was cast ; for another 
lighthouse was reached. Here the Conver- 
sion was awaiting the arrival of the Faith. 

I saw that none but Pilgrim were trans- 
ferred to the Conversion, at this time, as 
some desired to remain longer on the Faith ; 



3° 



Religious Similitude, 



others got on board the Backslide, and re- 
turned to the city whence they came. They 
were tired of the voyage ; they feared the 
storms and difficulties that attend the pass- 
age to Heaven. 

Captain Surrender, of the Conversion, now 
began to question Pilgrim as follows : 

''Whence came you, and whither are you 
going?" 

"I am from the city of Wickedness, and 
am en route to Heaven," replied Pilgrim. 

"Have 3^ou any family behind you?" 

"I have a wife and two sons, that are 
very dear to me, who are yet in Wicked- 
ness ; and I have a precious daughter, who 
is now in Heaven." 

"Is it hard for you to leave them be- 
hind, and to enter upon such a voyage as 
this?" 

"Yes," said Pilgrim; "but for the sake 
of meeting my daughter in the glory- world, 
with all the glorified hosts, I surrender 
wife, children, houses, and lands. There is 
nothing that prompts me to remain in such 
an infamous place as the city of Wicked- 
ness. I hate the emperor and everything 



Religions Similitude. 



3 1 



appertaining to his empire. I love Messiah ; 
I love His noble vessel ; the thought of 
Heaven makes my heart beat with glad- 
ness.' ' 

Surrender here interrupted, by embracing 
him lovingly and kissing him. 

The Conversion now anchored at a rock 
called Calvary, upon which was a cross 
erected, and upon the cross was a shining 
light. Pilgrim on seeing this was ravished 
with joy. Sometimes he wept, at other 
times he laughed ; then he shouted, inso- 
much that Mr. Morality began to rebuke 
him and say, "There is no use in all this 
noise and great ado." But there was a 
voice which said, "Let him alone ; for if 
he should hold his peace, the stones would 
immediately cry out." 

Now Captain Surrender placed Pilgrim on 
board the Zion. This vessel proved to be 
one of the most beautiful vessels that he 
ever saw, and the passengers were the finest- 
looking people he ever beheld. Old things 
had passed away, and all things became 
new to him. 

Just now a very great personage stepped 



32 Religious Similitude. 



on deck of the £ion, before whom the 
waves went down and the wind blushed 
into a calm, and at whose feet fell an in- 
numerable company, crying, " Hosanna to 
the King !" 

Then Pilgrim said, "Woe is me; for I 
am undone, because I am a man of unclean 
lips and have dwelt in the midst of a peo- 
ple of unclean lips ; for mine eyes have 
seen the King of hosts." 

Then there flew one of the seraphim 
unto him, having a live coal in his hand, 
which he had taken with the tongs from 
off the altar, and he laid it upon Pilgrim's 
mouth and said, " Lo, this hath touched 
thy lips, and thine iniquity is taken away 
and thy sin is purged." Then I saw Mes- 
siah wash him and give him a beautiful 
white robe, and heard Him tell Pilgrim 
that he must keep it clean. 

"You have now entered upon a great 
voyage," said Messiah, "which will termi- 
nate in the Blissful Harbor. It is possible 
for you at any time along the voyage to be 
allured from the 2ion and be lost at sea, 
or to return whence you came ; for Satan 



Religious Similitude, 



33 



has many vessels upon the sea — such as 
the Backslide, the Lukewarm, and the Ease. 
Sometimes he attaches some of those ves- 
sels, which are so acutely contrived, to the 
Zion, and one might enter, thinking that it 
was one of the lion's subordinates. Thus 
many passengers have gotten into those 
vessels of Satan, and left the Zion una- 
wares. Therefore, watch ye, and stand fast 
in the faith and in the liberty with which 
you are made free. Suffice me to say fur- 
ther, that you will encounter many storms, 
and breast many tempests, and will have to 
fight many battles, and suffer many affrights, 
before you reach your destination. One 
hour of Heaven's bliss will compensate you 
for all your sufferings. In Heaven the in- 
habitants never die, neither do they suffer 
any pain. No tear shall fall in Heaven ; 
no blood shall be spilt there, no separation 
occur, no bereavement felt, no disappoint- 
ment, no satiety, no death. 

"Again, think of the society of Heaven. 
The various orders of angels who kept their 
first estate ; the good of earth, also all the 
choice spirits of every land, nation, and age ; 



34 



Religious Similitude . 



the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and mar- 
tyrs are there ; also the pious kings of 
every age, the evangelists, the missionaries, 
and Christians of every land ; all the faith- 
ful preachers and reformers of the world 
are there. 

"Where is she that used to lisp 'father,' 
thy child? Passing out of thy hands, passed 
she not into the blessedness of Heaven?" 




CHAPTER II. 



04,0 

A Discussion oe Creeds. A Terrific 
Storm. Steadeast's Speech. 



Shortly after Pilgrim boarded the Zion, 
I saw her set sail. It was a beautiful Sab- 
bath morning in May. Never did the rising 
sun shed forth a more glorious splendor 
than he did on that memorable morning. 
Every appearance of the sky suggested fair 
weather. Pilgrim verily began to think that 
a life at sea was attended with exquisite 
pleasure. The Zion moved forward over 
the placid waters with rapidity and ease. 



36 



Religious Similitude. 



The spray was caught up into the sunlight 
and was transfigured into the beautiful hues 
of the rainbow. It reminded one of the 
covenant of promise which God made to 
Noah. 

I saw now that just ahead were some sand- 
banks ; but Pilgrim did not see them until 
the Zion was struggling among them. Then 
he, perceiving that the vessel was not sail- 
ing as smoothly as formerly, went out on 
deck to see what was the trouble. Now he 
realized that the Zion was in the midst of 
many sandbanks and on seeing that either 
to the left or to the right the water was 
deep and smooth, he began to say to him- 
self, " 1 wonder why it is that Messiah 
steers the Zion straight on over the sand- 
banks. Why does He not either keep to 
the left or right?" 

It was not long, however, until the Zion 
passed into smooth water again. He now 
looked over to the left, and saw some pi- 
rates, who were concealed, ready to surprise 
any vessel that might sail that way. Stead- 
fast told Pilgrim that Satan kept those 
pirates there in order to plunder and kill 



Religions Similitude, 



37 



all the Zionists that might go that way. 
Steadfast also informed him that over to 
the right of them was a very dangerous 
whirlpool, and many who got out of the way 
get into the whirlpool and are lost. 

"I am so glad that Messiah kept a 
straightforward course,' ' said Pilgrim; "or 
else we would have been imperiled or lost." 

Just then he looked back and saw two 
vessels that were sailing very fast, as if they 
were trying to overtake the £ion. Pilgrim 
asked Steadfast what vessels they were. 

"One is the Human Creed and the other 
the Moral Unregenerate," said Steadfast. 
"Both of these vessels fly under the flag 
of Messiah, but that is all ; really they be- 
long to the emperor of Wickedness/ ' 

Now those vessels came on to the sand- 
banks, and then one of them sailed to the 
right and the other to the left. ' ' Poor 
people who are aboard those vessels, I fear 
will be either slain by the pirates, or be 
lost in the whirlpool, " said Pilgrim sympa- 
thetically. 

The Zion being now in smooth water, it 
was requested that Revs. Conwell, of the 

4 



38 



Religious Similitude. 



Presbyterian Church, Oglethorpe, of the 
Methodist Church, and Ward, of the Bap- 
tist Church, would discuss their respective 
creeds. 

Rev. Conwell said: "I believe in the 
foreordination of God. I believe that He 
decreed all things before the foundation of 
the world. I admit that it is a mystery to 
us how that some people are created to 
be lost ; but, as the Bible teaches it, why 
should human creed reject it? 

"In John's Gospel x. 26, it reads, 'But 
ye believe not, because ye are not of My 
sheep, as I said unto you.' 

"'And as many as are ordained to eter- 
nal life believed.' Acts xiii. 48. 

"'The Lord hath made all things for 
Himself; yea, even the wicked for the day 
of evil.' Proverbs xvi. 4. 

"I might thus quote to you many more 
similar passages of Holy Scripture in order 
to show you that the Presbyterian Church 
is not founded upon the sand, but this would 
be unnecessary. It will suffice, however, to 
make one more quotation, from John xii. 
37-40: 'But though He had done so many 



Religions Similitude . 



39 



miracles before them, yet they believed not 
on Him, that the saying of Esaias the pro- 
phet might be fulfilled, which he spake: 
Lord, who hath believed our report, and to 
whom has the arm of the Lord been re- 
vealed? Therefore they could not believe, 
because that Esaias said again, He hath 
blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, 
that they should not see with their eyes, 
nor understand with their heart ; and be 
converted, and I should heal them.' 

"'The condition of the human race en- 
tered into this decree. It is not, perhaps, 
the most important part of it when we 
speak of the formation of the universe ; but 
it is a part which, even were it more insig- 
nificant than it is, could not be overlooked 
by the Almighty, whose attention extends 
to all His works, and which appear, by 
those dispensations of His providence that 
have been made known to be interesting 
in His eyes. 

" 'A decree respecting the condition of the 
human race includes the history of every 
individual : the time of his appearing upon 
the earth ; the manner of his existence 



40 Religious Similitude. 



while he is an inhabitant of the earth, as 
it is diversified by the actions which he 
performs, and by the events, whether pros- 
perous or calamitous, which befall him ; 
and the manner of existence after he leaves 
the earth — that is, future happiness or 
misery. 

" 'A decree respecting the condition of the 
human race also includes the relations of 
the individuals to one another ; it fixes 
their connections in society, which have a 
great influence upon their happiness and 
their improvement ; and it must be con- 
ceived as extending to the important events, 
recorded in Scripture, in which the whole 
species have a concern. Of this kind is 
the sin of our first parents, the conse- 
quences of that sin reaching to all their 
posterity, the mediation of Jesus Christ ap- 
pointed by God as a remedy for these con- 
sequences, the final salvation through His 
mediation of one part of the descendants 
of Adam, and final condemnation of the 
other part, notwithstanding the remedy. 

" 'These events arise at long intervals of 
time, by a gradual preparation of circutn- 



Religious Similitude. 



4* 



stances and the operation of various means. 
But by the Creator, to whose mind the 
end and means were at once present, these 
events were beheld in intimate connection 
with one another, and in conjunction with 
many other events to us unknown, and con- 
sequently all of them, however far removed 
from one another as to the time of their 
actual existence, were comprehended in that 
one decree by which He determined to pro- 
duce the world.' " 

Rev. Conwell having concluded his re- 
marks and taken his seat, Rev. Oglethorpe 
arose and said : ' ' It affords me no little 
pleasure to represent the great Methodist 
Church. Having listened with profound 
interest to the eloquent address of Bro. 
Conwell, and knowing his scholarly ability, 
I was surprised at the manner he construed 
the Scripture which he quoted. It would 
have been more satisfactory, no doubt, to 
this vast audience, if he had harmonized 
those extreme passages of Scripture with 
the following : 

"'God so loved the world that He gave 
His only-begotten Son, that whosoever be- 



42 



Religious Similitude. 



lieveth on Him should not perish, but have 
everlasting life.' John iii. 16. 

'''And him that cometh to Me I will in 
no wise cast out.' John vi. 37. 

"'For the grace of God that bringeth 
salvation hath appeared to all men.' Titus 
ii. 11. 

'"That He by the grace of God should 
taste death for every man.' Heb. ii. 7. 

" ' Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all 
the ends of the earth.' Isa. xlv. 22. 

"I think that these few quotations will 
suffice, and if the brother who has just 
spoken will harmonize them with the ex- 
treme quotations that he has made, he will 
stand upon Arminian ground. We should 
not sign a death-warrant of any people, but 
give them the full extent of God's un- 
bounded mercy. 

"'Whenever, therefore, God acts as a 
governor, or as a rewarder or punisher, He 
no longer acts as a mere sovereign, by His 
own sole will and pleasure, but as an im- 
partial judge, guided in all things by inva- 
riable justice. 

"'Yet it is true, that in some cases 



Religions Similitude. 43 



mercy rejoices over justice, although sever- 
ity never does. God may reward more, but 
He will never punish more than strict just- 
ice requires. It may be allowed, that God 
acts as sovereign in convincing some souls 
of sin, arresting them in their mad career 
by His resistless power. It seems, also, 
that at the moment of one's conversion He 
acts irresistibly. There may likewise be 
many irresistible touches in the course of 
our Christian warfare ; but still as St. Paul 
might have been either obedient or "diso- 
bedient to the heavenly vision," so every 
individual may, after all that God has done, 
either improve his grace or make it of none 
effect. 

" 'Whatever, therefore, it has pleased God 
to do of His sovereign pleasure, as Creator 
of heaven and earth, and whatever His 
mercy may do on particular occasions, over 
and above what justice requires, the general 
rule stands firm as the pillars of heaven : 
' ' the Judge of all the earth will do right ; 
He will judge the world in righteousness," 
and eveyone therein according to the strict- 
est justice. He will punish no man for 



44 



Religious Similitude. 



doing anything which he could not possibly 
avoid, neither for omitting anything which 
he could not possibly do. Every punish- 
ment supposes the offender might have 
avoided the offense for which he is pun- 
ished ; otherwise to punish him would be 
palpably unjust, and inconsistent with the 
character of God our Governor.'" 

Now the Rev. Ward arose and said : 
"The brethren who preceded me on this 
floor have been over careful to defend two 
extremes that are of but little importance 
to the Christian life. Supralapsirianism 
or sublapsarianism, predestination or mere 
foreknowledge of God, are not very es- 
sential for the Christian to contend about. 
I represent the great Baptist Church. In- 
cluding her many branches, this is the 
greatest Protestant denomination perhaps of 
earth. 

"Permit me to-day to impress upon the 
mind of this intelligent audience one of the 
vital essentials of the Christian life, viz., 
Baptism. Our commission is, ' Go ye into 
all the world, and preach the gospel to 
every creature, baptizing them in the name 



Religions Similitude. 



45 



of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost.' 

4 'It is unwise for us to be so zealous 
about two non-essentials, as Calvinism and 
Arminianism. It is like the persons whom 
Paul refers to in his letter to the Romans : 
'who, being ignorant of God's righteousness, 
and going about to establish their own 
righteousness, have not submitted them- 
selves unto the righteousness of God.' 

"It is well known by all honest and in- 
telligent people, that ablution was common 
in most ancient nations as a preparation for 
prayers and sacrifices, or as expiatory of 
sin. There is a natural connection in the 
mind between the thought of physical and 
that of spiritual pollution. 

"Baptism properly and literally means im- 
mersion. The command to baptize was co- 
extensive with the command to preach the 
gospel. All nations were to be evangelized, 
and they were to be made disciples and 
admitted into the fellowship of the Christian 
Church, by the act of baptism. 

"Now, both of the gentlemen who pre- 
ceded me on this floor have practically 



46 Religions Similitude . 



done away with baptism. They will pour 
or sprinkle a little water upon the heads of 
babies, and with great emphasis pronounce 
it baptism — thus making mock of one of 
the essential parts of the gospel." 

So ended the discussion of creeds, and I 
saw that all Christian denominations were 
represented on board the Zion. The sea 
was smooth, and the grand old ship sailed 
Heavenward ; but not so fast as she would, 
had it not been for the contentions and 
dissensions on board. 

About nightfall it became evident to all 
aboard that a storm was pending. Down 
low on the horizon the lightning blazed. 
Clouds as black as ebon shot up from the 
North. The thunder began to rumble, and 
there was a mighty roaring in the direction 
of the approaching storm. 

The sea now became exceedingly rough 
by reason of the wind. The glory of the 
Sabbath's serenity had departed, and the 
terror of a rolling sea was now contending 
for the destruction of the grand old ship 
and the human freight she bore. 

I saw now that it became utterly impos- 



Religions Similitude . 



47 



sible for any one to stand on deck, or to sit 
comfortably within the vessel ; for some- 
times she appeared on the mountain-top and 
surge as if she was trying to sail in the 
air, then diving down, mountain and ship 
together, as if to rise no more. It then 
seemed as if the faithful Zion had formed 
new courage and was determined to ride 
down the surging billows. 

It seemed now for a few minutes that the 
tempest was over, and there was hope of the 
almost perishing crew being saved. The 
calm proved to be only temporary. All of 
a sudden hail, rain, and indescribable tem- 
pest and billows beat against the Zion, in- 
somuch as to almost turn her over, while 
chairs, tables, dishes, and people thundered 
upon the floor. After this tremendous shock 
the Zionists shouted, "We are lost ! " There 
was heard then a Babel of tongues implor- 
ing divine aid. All differences, prejudices, 
jealousies, yea, and all discussions of creeds 
were desisted from, and perfect unity pre- 
vailed. Revs. Conwell, Oglethorpe, and 
Ward dwelt -together in unity. 

Now 7 I heard the Zionists sing : 



4 8 



Religious Similitude. 



" Blest be the tie that binds 

Our hearts in Christian love ; 
The fellowship of kindred minds 
Is like to that above. 

" Before our Father's throne 

We pour our ardent prayers ; 

Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, 
Our comforts and our cares." 

The Presbyterians, the Methodists, the 
Baptists, the Lutherans, the Congregation- 
alists, the Dunkards, and all the Christian 
people on board the Zion forgot their dif- 
ferences, and Charles Wesley's transporting 
hymn became a reality. 

"One family we dwell in Him, 

One Church above, beneath ; 
Though now divided by the stream, 

The narrow stream of Death. 
One army of the living God, 

To His command we bow ; 
Part of His host have crossed the flood, 

And part are crossing now." 

The storm continued, insomuch that the 
waves washed into the ship, so that it was 
ready to sink. "Now Messiah was in the 
hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow, 



Religious Similitude. 



49 



and they awoke Him, and say unto Him, 
Master, carest Thou not that we perish? 
And He arose and rebuked the wind, and 
said, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, 
and there was a great calm. And He said 
unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is 
it that ye have no faith? And they feared 
exceedingly, and said one to another, What 
manner of man is this, that even the wind 
and the sea obey Him?'' 

The clouds dispersed, and the stars smiled 
again upon the Zionists, w r hich caused them 
to take courage and their hearts to be glad. 
The storm being over, Messiah commanded 
Steadfast to warn the Zionists to cease their 
contentions and banish their extreme secta- 
rianism. So, on an appointed day, he spake 
as follows : 

"Fathers and brethren, it devolves upon 
me to-day to deliver unto you a message 
from the great Messiah. 'Be not children 
in understanding ; howbeit, in malice be ye 
children ; but in understanding be }^e men. 
But now ye must put off the deeds of the 
flesh, which are anger, wrath, malice, blas- 
phemy, filthy communications/ discussions of 



Religions Similitude. 



human creeds, and contentions from among 
you. ' Put on, therefore, as the elect of 
God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, 
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, 
long-suffering. Forbearing one another and 
forgiving one another ; if any man have a 
quarrel against you, even as Messiah for- 
gave you, so also do ye. 

41 'And above all these things put on 
charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 
And let the peace of God rule, in your 
hearts, to the end which also ye are called 
in one body, and be ye thankful. 

"'Let the word of Messiah dwell in you 
richly in all wisdom, teaching and admon- 
ishing one another in psalms and hymns 
and spiritual songs ; singing with grace in 
your hearts to the Lord. Be of one mind, 
live in peace, and the God of love and 
peace shall be with you.' 

"Too much unnecessary time is wasted 
in jangling over a few minor points of doc- 
trine. Revs. Conwell, Oglethorpe, and Ward 
accomplivShed comparatively nothing, not- 
withstanding their eloquence and masterly 
ability. The poor sin-sick soul that may 



Religions Similitude. 51 

have been in that vast audience, panting 
for the waters of life, became disgusted at 
such indoctrinating and technical display 
of creeds which characterized that debate. 
There is a theoretical and a practical reli- 
gion. The latter is what we need. Oh, 
for a practical religion ! 

4 'Dr. Talmage relates a .fitting incident 
that came under his observation in New 
England. 'One Summer,' says the Doctor, 
'in Connecticut I went to a large factory, 
and I saw over the door written the words, 
No Admittance. I entered and found over 
the next door, No Admittance. Of course, 
I entered. I got inside, and found it a pin 
factory, and they were making pins — very 
serviceable, fine, and useful pins. So the 
spirit of exclusiveness has been practically 
written on the outside door of many a 
church, No Admittance ; and if the stranger 
enters, he finds practically written over the 
second door, No Admittance ; and if he 
goes on, over all the pews there seems to 
be written, No Admittance, while the min- 
ister stands in the pulpit, hammering out 
his little niceties of belief, pounding out 



52 



Religious Similitude. 



the technicalities of religion — making pins. 
In the most practical, common-sense way, 
and laying aside the non-essentials and the 
hard definitions, go out on the God-given 
mission, telling the people what they need, 
and when and how they can get it.' 

1 1 Paul before Felix reasoned of right- 
eousness, temperance, and judgment to come 
in such an effective way as to cause Felix 
to tremble. Peter preached Messiah in such 
earnestness that a single sermon turned 
three thousand souls from sin unto right- 
eousness and from the power of Satan unto 
God. Such is the grand effect of setting 
forth the simple gospel truths. 

" Again, there is nothing to be accom- 
plished by extreme sectarianism. Religious 
bigotry is contemptible in the eyes of the 
L,ord. People love quiet and peace more 
than noise and battle. 

"Suppose there was a man of Highland, 
Virginia, en route to Staunton. He would 
likely pass through the town of McDowel. 
But on arriving in sight of the town, sup- 
pose he saw that the whole town was in an 
uproar, and the air filled with brickbats and 



Religious Similitude. 



53 



deadly missiles. Do you suppose that he 
would go straight on through the town? 
No, never ; he would go around it. Now, 
people come and look upon the path that 
leads to Heaven, and often see the ecclesi- 
astical brickbats flying hither and thither, 
and they say, ' We prefer the broad road ; 
it is too rough and there is too much 
sharpshooting along the narrow path for us 
peaceful and quiet citizens.' 

"While admitting the necessity of differ- 
ent denominations, I abhor bigotry. There 
ought to be more fraternity and good feel- 
ing and unity among the churches. One 
says, 'The Presbyterian Church is my pref- 
erence.' I say, 'Go there, my brother, and 
join, and may the God of peace be with 
you.' Another says, 'I don't believe in the 
sprinkling.' Well, go, my brother, where 
you can be satisfied with the full extent of 
ablution. Another says, ' There is too much 
noise for me in the Methodist Church.' 
Well, you are at liberty, my brother, to go 
and be rocked in the lullaby of some quiet 
Church. Another says, ' The Methodist 
Church is my choice.' Well, my brother, 

5 



54 



Religions Similitude. 



join there, and may the blessing of God be 
with you. 

"Now remember, dear people, that you 
are all aboard the same grand old ship, 
though you may occupy different rooms ; 
you are also bound for one blissful shore. 
The joint effort of all the churches is needed 
in order to save the perishing. 

"The great secret of power and success 
is unity, both in a temporal and spiritual 
sense. ' If a kingdom be divided against 
itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if 
a house be divided against itself, that house 
cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against 
himself and be divided, he cannot stand, 
but hath an end.' 

"The Christian Church has suffered more 
from the contentions, persecutions, sharp- 
shootings, rackings, and flaming martyrdom 
originated and inflated by her own house- 
hold than by all the outside world com- 
bined. 

"I do not mean to make the impression 
that Christian people will do these things ; 
but Satan has entered the heart of religious 
bigots, who were over zealous in a few of 



Religious Similitude, 



55 



the externals of religion, and instead of 
being Christians, they became devils incar- 
nate. 

"Let the martyred blood of Abel cry 
from the ground, which was shed by an 
external worshiper of God through jealousy. 
The Lord of glory was slain by those who 
had a hypocritical form of godliness, but 
denied the power thereof. The proto-mar- 
tyr Stephen was put to death by order of 
those who professed to be doing the will 
of God. Saul of Tarsus, who figured in 
this shameful tragedy, afterward repented, 
and God pardoned him ; but it caused Paul 
to have unpleasant reflections forever after- 
wards. 

"The blood of all the Protestants which 
baptized the empire of Satan was shed by 
the hands of religious bigots. I hope that 
the halcyon day will soon dawn when all 
the Christian hosts, of every name and 
order, shall gather around the standard of 
Messiah, hand in hand and heart joined to 
heart by the chord of love, and recite the 
creed, ' I believe in God the Father Al- 
mighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in 



Religious Similitude. 



There were those on board that did cabin 
service, doorkeepers, cooks, carpenters, mid- 
shipmen, captains, and commodores ; also, 
there were physicians, teachers, and evan- 
gelists. Pilgrim, after doing the service of 
the cabin for a while, was appointed door- 
keeper ; and I heard him say, "I would 
rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my 
God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.' f 

Now, after Pilgrim had left the city of 
Wickedness, there was no little hubbub 
about him among the citizens. Some of 
them said that he was a coward, or he 
would not have left ; others said- that he 
was beside himself ; and still others said 
that he was drunken on new wine. 

The emperor now set forth the following 
decree: "All my subjects shall do their 
utmost in the defense of my metropolis and 
minor cities of my empire ; and shall en- 
deavor to destroy any fleets that may belong 
to Messiah ; and shall cause to die and slay 
all the Zionists possible." 

The infatuated citizens cried, "Good." 

Immediately the emperor fitted out a fleet 
to pursue the Zion. The lord mayor of 



Religions Similitude. 



59 



Wickedness had said that Pilgrim was a 
valiant and useful man in the city, and the 
city could ill afford to give him up. The 
great question now was whether it would be 
judicious to give battle at once to the Zion, 
or to first use quiet and deceitful means by 
which to allure the Zionists. After the 
question was carefully considered, it was 
decided that the first effort to recapture 
Pilgrim and the other deserters should be 
by quiet means and through flattery and 
deceit. 

Now, the next question to be considered 
was, who should go in pursuit of the Zion 
on such an errand. At last it was agreed 
upon to send Captain Temptation, who was 
considered one of the greatest men of Sa- 
tan's empire. He was only second to the 
emperor, and I do not know but that he is 
related to the royal family ; be it as it may, 
the Zionists feared Temptation more than 
any other man in the empire. Messiah said 
concerning him that "he is the mouthpiece 
of Satan, and that many centuries ago he 
was successful in deceiving a man and his 
wife, so as to cause them to forsake the 



6o 



Religious Similitude, 



Zion ; thus causing them and their posterity 
to suffer loss forever afterward." 

Temptation, having received his commis- 
sion, proceeded at once to tax all the dia- 
bolical ingenuity of the city in order to 
contrive a suitable vessel to meet his de- 
mands. In process of time a vessel, called 
the Backslide, was constructed, having the 
most modern improvements. She was also 
supplied with all the dainties and rarities 
that appetite could wish — tables filled to 
overflowing with delicious fruits and exqui- 
site wines. There were rooms to accom- 
date people of every disposition, aspiration, 
taste, and inclination. If a little wine was 
desired by any one, this desire was readily 
gratified. If any one desired to read trashy 
literature, the endless novels which filled 
the library to overflow were accessible. If 
any were disposed to read skeptical litera- 
ture, Paine's ' 'Age of Reason," Ingersoll's 
pamphlets and papers, Hume's works, Vol- 
taire's many-sided Neology, w T ith many other 
prominent authors, were numerous on board. 

The Backslide was made fragrant with 
spices and aromatics. As the fisherman's 



Religious Similitude. 



61 



hook is well baited, and the spider's web 
is silvered over, so was the Backslide. As 
the swine is well fed and the ox is stalled 
before butchered, so likewise the Backslide 
is the way of death. 

Now, Temptation set sail in the spicy 
and exhilarating vessel, and it was not long 
until he overtook the Zion. He first saw 
a lady, by the name of Miss Pride, who 
had left the city of Wickedness before Pil- 
grim. She was standing on deck, and he 
hailed her and said : 

"Miss, you seem to be in trouble to-day. 
Pray, what is the matter with you?" 

"Well," said Miss Pride, "I can't say 
that I am sick, but somehow I am so de- 
jected." 

"My dear lady, I do not admire the man- 
ner in which you are dressed. Does the 
Shipmaster recommend that you should w T ear 
that ruffleless robe all the time?" 

"I must say that he does, and I don't 
like our manner of dress myself as well as 
I do the city fashions." 

"You certainly look badly. You must 
forever wear- a long face, and must always 



62 



Religious Similitude. 



be uncomfortable, if you would please your 
hard master. Come and get on board with 
me, and I will take you back to the city, 
where you will be free from the trammels 
of discipline, and where you can dress and 
act to suit yourself, and be rid of those 
odd forms and restraints of the 2ion." 

So Miss Pride gave Temptation her hand, 
and was helped down into the fragrant 
Backslide. Pilgrim, being at the door and 
hearing a racket, opened it to see what was 
the matter, when, lo ! he saw Miss Pride in 
the Backslide. On seeing Pilgrim, Temp- 
tation raised his hat and bowed to him, 
with all the air of a city dude, and ad- 
dressed him as follows : 

" Noble sir, I understand that you are a 
doorkeeper. You have condescended very 
low since you left the city. Prior to this, 
you were exalted highly, and were doing a 
flourishing business and making thousands 
of dollars annually, by keeping the city 
saloon. You are making but little money 
now, and you had better conclude to return 
with me to the city, and resume your for- 
mer occupation.' ' 



Religions Similitude. 



63 



"I am not making as much money as 
formerly," said Pilgrim; "but I shall be 
immensely rich after I reach the destined 
shore of the heavenly land. If I should 
return to the city of Wickedness, and there 
hoard up silver and gold as the sand of 
the sea, in the end I would perish with it ; 
and wherein would I be benefited? 'What 
shall it profit a man, if he should gain the 
whole world and lose his own soul? Or 
what shall a man give in exchange for his 
soul?'" 

"I see that you have no relatives aboard 
with you. Even your wife and children 
are left behind in the city." 

"I can't help that; I must abide in the 
ship : but I hope yet to see the day when 
my wife and children shall desert the in- 
famous city of Wickedness, and shall get on 
board the Zion, bound for Canaan's peace- 
ful shore." 

"They are not so silly as you, and they 
will remain in the city. Now, friend Pil- 
grim, let me inform you that you will have 
many storms and difficulties to contend with 
before you reach your destination. The 



64 



Religious Similitude. 



probability is that you will never come to 
land." 

" Messiah has told me that 'through much 
tribulation we shall enter the kingdom of 
God.' I don't expect anything else ; let 
come what may, I am bound to make 
Heaven my home." 

Now I saw that Temptation left Pilgrim 
and turned his attention to Mr. Worldly- 
minded, and accosted him thus : 

1 'How do you do, friend Worldlyminded? 
You desire to be rich, do you not?" 

"Yes; it is a great thing to be wealthy," 
was the reply. 

"Do you see all those fair islands out 
yonder, and all those fine cattle and mag- 
nificent buildings and turreted palaces? All 
these things will the emperor give you, if 
you will go back with me to the city and 
worship him." 

"Enough," cried Worldlyminded; and 
down into the fragrant boat he stepped, 
and I saw Temptation give him a hearty 
shake of the hand. 

After this there were several beautiful 
and intelligent ladies who came out on the 



Religions Similitude. 



65 



deck of the Zion. Temptation, on behold- 
ing them, said, 

"Good morning, ladies. This is beautiful 
weather, but not more beautiful than you 
are." 

"Yes, this is fine weather," said the la- 
dies; "but not so much flattery, please." 

"Aha! aha!" laughed Temptation, de- 
ceitfully, and then said, "You are the daugh- 
ters of Mr. Lovedance, are you not?" 

"Yes, sir; and do you know him?" asked 
the ladies, with surprise. 

"Oh, yes; he and I are intimate friends, 
as well as old acquaintances." 

"Well, tell us how the old man is getting 
along; for we have not heard from him for 
a long time. Is he as jovial as ever?" 

"Oh, yes, he is the same, both in looks 
and action, and can outplay 'fury' on the 
banjo and fiddle, and outdance anything in 
the city. I am glad, ladies, to inform you 
that there is to be a party to-night in the 
city, and I have come to invite you to it. 
Come at once and get on board the Back- 
slide, and we will sail immediately back and 
attend it ; and then, if you desire to re- 



66 



Religious Similitude. 



sume your voyage on the Zion, I will bring 
you back to-morrow and deliver you on 
board, and you can sail as before. There 
is no harm in a party, nohow : it is only 
calculated to amuse young folks. They 
ought to have a little fun and pleasure as 
they go along." 

"Very well," said the ladies, and into 
the fascinating Backslide they stepped. 

I saw again, at this moment, three gen- 
tlemen, who were the sons of Mr. Worldly 
Honor, come out on deck, and Temptation 
addressed them very discreetly, as follows: 

"Honorable gentlemen, I am glad to see 
you once more ; you have been missed very 
much in the city. I understand that you 
have been promoted but little yet on the 
Zion. I don't suppose that you will ever 
receive but little honor or distinction, as 
long as you remain where you are. Abase- 
ment is one of the requisites for all who 
would become Zionists. I have heard Mes- 
siah say that Zionists must be humble, even 
like little children, and must be as the filth 
and offscouring of the world. You will be 
persecuted and despised continually, if you 



Religions Similitude. 



6 7 



remain where you are. I would rather for 
myself be exalted and honored in the city 
of Wickedness than to be forever abased 
on the Zion, if I did fail to reach Heaven. 

"Men of such rare intellect as you have 
ought to be highly honored in the world. 
If you had remained in our city, to-day you 
would be distinguished lords or statesmen. 
Let me now, as one who cares for your 
temporal welfare, urge you to return with 
me to the city. Now, there are to be 
some senators elected before long ; and if 
you will go back with me, I will pledge 
you my honor that you shall have my in- 
fluence, and no doubt your election will be 
secured." 

Then I heard one of the men say that 
"There is not enough dignity on the Zion 
to prompt a man of my superior talent to 
remain on board. There are so many peo- 
ple ignorant and poor on the Zion, and if 
I remain here, I must associate with them, 
or else I will displease the Commander. 
So, as for me, I am going to return to the 
city; let others do as they please." 

Down then .stepped the three men into 



68 



Religious Similitude, 



the Backslide, amid the many cheers of no 
few people whom Temptation had now taken 
from the Zion. 

Messiah, on hearing the shouting and 
dancing, went out on deck to see what was 
going on, when, to His sorrow, He saw 
that many were leaving the Zion. Then 
said He unto Pilgrim, ''Will -ye also go 
away?" Then Pilgrim answered and said, 
"Lord, to whom shall I go? Thou hast 
the words of eternal life." 

I saw now the Backslide set sail for 
Wickedness, which almost broke the heart 
of Messiah. The bitter tears flowed down 
His sorrowing cheeks, as He said, "Come 
back! Oh, why will ye die?" 

During Temptation's absence there was 
much anxiety on the part of the citizens 
as to what success he would have. The 
lord mayor, Blasphemy, thought that the 
expedition would be successful, while Mr. 
Infidel feared not. The emperor said : 

"I have no fears whatever that Tempta- 
tion will be unsuccessful ; for he is skillful 
in his craft, and beyond the shadow of a 
doubt will accomplish that whereunto he 



Religious Similitude. 



6 9 



is sent. I think that it was wise in us 
appointing such an experienced man as he 
on such an important mission ; for he can 
lie with the greatest ease of manner, and 
can entice and flatter with all the dex- 
terity peculiar to himself. Rest assured, 
my braves, the expedition will be crowned 
with the greatest success." 

Thus the city was no little stirred on that 
day at the thought of Temptation's expedi- 
tion, notwithstanding some of the citizens 
were repairing a breach which had been 
recently made in the city wall by the Zion- 
ists, while others were making preparations 
for a great party that should be that night. 
The prominent politicians were busy in dis- 
cussing election plans, and securing whiskey 
and money for an election campaign. 

Now I saw, late in the evening, just at 
the going down of the sun, the Backslide 
come sailing into the harbor, while hun- 
dreds were running to the wharf in order 
to hear of what success Captain Temptation 
had. The anxiety of the citizens grew more 
and more intense until the Backslide land- 
ed ; then, on realizing the great success of 
6 



7° 



Religious Similitude. 



Temptation, it enkindled into a flame of 
enthusiasm. Even the emperor was greatly 
exhilarated at what his deputy had done, 
and a jubilee was proclaimed. The lord 
mayor of the city commanded that there 
should be a display of the fire-works, and a 
general dissemination of gas and firing of 
cannon throughout the city, and everything 
else should be desisted from for three days, 
and all the citizens urged to participate in 
the jubilee. The emperor gave notice that 
he would attend in person the parade and 
party. 

So I saw that after much display and 
parade in the streets, the citizens crowded 
into the spacious and commodious city hall, 
where the party was to be. Now it was 
marvelous how the daughters of Mr. Love- 
dance waltzed and gracefully stepped around 
in presence of the emperor. But it gives 
me pain to chronicle their sad fate. In after 
years, while sailing on board the Worldly 
Pleasure, the vessel foundered, and they 
were lost. 

Now I saw that Miss Pride was elabor- 
ately dressed in the finest silk that could 



Religious Similitude. 71 

be manufactured in the city. Her dress 
was made with care, according to the latest 
city fashion. I will have reason to mention 
her name again further along in this work. 

It was almost laughable how old Mr. 
Worldly Minded behaved on that night. 
His head being bald, he answered the oc- 
casion as a reflector. Now, on his way 
home, after the party had adjourned, just 
as he got beyond the suburbs, a bandit 
slew him for his money. So on that night 
was Worldly Minded slain. 

The sons of Mr. Worldly Honor were 
elected senators, and thus resided many 
years in the emperor's court ; but they 
never were contented with what honors were 
thrust upon them : they were always seek- 
ing after new laurels. 

I now make a quotation from one of the 
leading papers of the day, which gives 
their subsequent history. 

" A FEAST OF ROSES. 

"In the brave days of old, Satan, the em- 
peror of the great city of Wickedness, being 
weary of possessing power only through his 



72 



Religious Similitude. 



senators, conceived a plan which was at 
least novel and original, by which he might 
gain freedom to act at his royal pleasure. 
Therefore he most graciously invited his 
senators to a feast in their honor, at his 
lovely villa. Costly wines and rare viands 
were furnished, and a feast, such as only 
Wickedness in her sunniest days could pre- 
pare, lay spread out before them. 

''Seated about this luxurious table, flushed 
with the wines of which they had partaken 
to excess, they failed to see that the em- 
peror in leaving the room, with a smile 
upon his face, promising to prepare for 
them a surprise, had fastened the door se- 
curely. 

"Suddenly a trap-door in the ceiling 
opened, and the emperor was heard to say 
in a loud voice : ' You were never satisfied 
with your power and glory ; you were al- 
ways aspiring after new laurels. This noble 
thirst shall now be gratified/ 

"Down upon their devoted heads came 
showers of laurel. At first they shouted in 
wild glee, and caught them as they floated 
in the air. The loveliest and most exqui- 



Religions Similitude, 



73 



site flowers fell about their feet. A heavy 
perfume pervaded the atmosphere. And 
still they came ceaselessly. The amazed 
senators cried, ' Enough ! enough ! ' but in 
vain. At last, terrified, they rushed from 
their seats ; through beds of roses they 
waded. The door, alas! was fastened, and, 
flying in despair through the ceaseless 
pelting storm of flowers to the windows 
for escape, they beheld beneath them the 
weapons of the Satanic legion, prepared to 
kill any w r ho might venture to escape the 
honors thrust upon them so unmercifully. 
In mute despair they gazed upon one an- 
other. "Whichever way they looked death 
was inevitable. They begged wildly for 
mercy ; but still the roses fell. The air 
was heavy with the perfume of the flowers, 
w r hich now like a deep crimson sea seemed 
craving for the lives of its victims. 

"Already the walls grew higher and 
higher. They were not only crowned, but 
crushed, by the coveted laurels which their 
ambitious hands had so long striven to 
grasp. Their voices grew fainter and faint- 
er. No longer were they heard pleading for 



74 



Religious Similitude. 



pity. They were buried in flowers, roses 
formed their graves, and laurels waved 
above them in triumph. Not a breath was 
heard. The last rose had fallen. Not even 
a leaf stirred. A stern, unrelenting hand 
had given them a grave of the laurels they 
had so much coveted. 

"The emperor had not murdered his sena- 
tors. Oh no ! he only killed them with 
kindness, suffocated them with sweets. 

"Such was the poetical plan of the Em- 
peror Satan to dispose of his senators." 

Emperor Satan, still anxious to prey upon 
the Zion, commissioned Mr. Deception to go 
under the color of a Zionist and mislead as 
many people as possible. Now this Decep- 
tion was born in the town of Hypocrisy, 
and was a favorite of the emperor. He 
distinguished himself by misleading the 
scribes and Pharisees and the chief priests, 
many centuries ago. He also persuaded 
Judas Iscariot to betray his Lord with a 
kiss. So, in many respects there was none 
to be found like him, no, not in all of 
Satan's domain. 



Religious Similitude. 



75 



Deception set sail in the Pretense, in all 
haste to overtake the Zion. He was dressed 
in a garb that resembled very much the 
Zion costume ; however, by close discrimi- 
nation it could be clearly seen that he was 
a Satanite. He was flying the flag of Mes- 
siah. 

After a voyage of many days he came in 
sight of the Zion. On seeing this strange 
craft coming near, the Zionists were at their 
wits' end to determine what it meant. Some 
of them said that he was a good man, and 
it would be safe to board his vessel. Stead- 
fast said, 4 'Be not too hasty, my brethren, 
to join that man ; for I fear that he is a 
cheat." 

Now, as the Zion was rounding a certain 
cape, Deception came alongside her deck and 
announced that he would preach at 3 p. m. 

Steadfast now asked him if he were not 
from the town of Hypocrisy, and he said, 

"I am." 

"Your name," said Steadfast, "is Decep- 
tion, is it not?" 

"It is," answered the man. 

" How dare you then preach," said Stead- 



76 



Religions Similitude, 



fast; "for it is written, Be ye clean that 
bear the vessels of the Lord?" 

"Look at my costume. Does it not com- 
pare favorably with the manner of dress of 
the Zionists?" 

"I read a description of you," replied 
Steadfast, "in Luke's Gospel, xi. 39: 'Ye 
make clean the outside of the cup and - 
platter, but your inward part is full of rav- 
ening and wickedness.' Messiah has com- 
pared such as you to whited sepulchers, 
which indeed appear beautiful outward, but 
are within full of dead men's bones and of 
all uucleanness." 

"Christianity is all form, anyhow," said 
Deception, and so the conversation between 
Steadfast and Deception ended. 

Now the hour for preaching was at hand, 
and Mr. Deception frothed at the mouth, 
and stamped and beat the air, insomuch 
that there were many who mistook this for 
preaching, and said, "We have never heard 
anything like unto it before." 

I shall not give the discourse in full to 
my readers, as a little of Deception's ha- 
rangue will suffice. He said ; 



Religions Similitude. 



77 



"Men talk about regeneration, or the 
new birth. What is regeneration but out- 
ward form ? Nothing. 

1 1 Men talk about boarding the Zion by 
means of the Repentance, the Faith, and 
the Conversion. This is the height of folly. 

"Men talk about the Zion as being the 
only means, through the Messiah, by which 
to enter Heaven. This is false. I am glad 
to inform this vast audience that I command 
a vessel called the Pretense, and if any 
want to get to Heaven on flowery beds of 
ease, come at once and get on board with 
me, and I will steer you free of all the 
shoals and rocks, and will land you safe in 
Heaven." 

I heard many Zionists say, "We ad- 
mired Deception's sermon very much. He 
preached good doctrine." Now I saw many 
of the Methodists, the Presbyterians, the 
Baptists, and the Lutherans withdraw from 
their respective denominations, and join Mr. 
Deception, and set sail with him on the 
Pretense. Thus they abandoned the Zion. 

In after years the Pretense was wrecked 
in a terriific storm off the Infernal Gates, 



78 Religious Similitude, 



and all were lost save a straggling few who 
were picked up by the schooner Charity, 
and were placed on board the Zion. They 
were wiser and better forever afterward, 
and never were they again carried away by 
every wind of doctrine. 



CHAPTER IV. 



4 



The Skepticism on Fire. A Sad 
Incident. 



Temptation and Deception having made 
such inroads upon the Zion, Messiah com- 
manded His people to be on the alert con- 
tinually. "If any man has aught against 
another, forgive him, even as I forgave 
your trespasses. Cease to discuss human 
creeds, and drop your prejudices, and be of 
the same mind. Watch ye ; stand fast in 
the faith ; quit ye like men ; be strong. 



8o Religions Similitude. 

Stand fast in the liberty wherewith ye have 
been made free, and be not entangled again 
with the yoke of bondage. If any man is 
drawn away, My soul hath no pleasure in 
him." 

Steadfast was now promoted from the po- 
sition of pilot to a captaincy, while Pilgrim 
received the modest title of midshipman. 
Those were worthy men, and distinguished 
themselves by their loyalty to the cause of 
Messiah, and rightly deserved promotion to 
such stations of honor and trust. 

The 2ion was strongly armed against the 
enemy, and not only those who were on 
board were better cared for and protected, 
but those heroic men pushed far out and 
captured many citizens of Wickedness, and 
thus kept Captain Conviction of the Re- 
pentance, and Captain Belief of the Faith, 
and Captain Surrender of the Conversion 
busy delivering souls on board the Zion. 

I must not fail to give the distinguished 
minister Boanerges credit for what valuable 
service he did. He went right into the 
midst of Wickedness, and braved death like 
a hero, and was instrumental in causing 



Religious Similitude. 



81 



thousands to desert the wretched city and 
board the Zion, bound for "the land of 
beauty, where the redeemed w T alk in white." 

It is related of him, while aboard the 
Skepticism as missionary, that the vessel 
took fire ; but he was calm and self-pos- 
sessed amid the flames. Now this vessel 
was flying under the flag of Satan, and 
commanded by Captain Skeptic. The fol- 
lowing lines need no explanation : The air 
being balmy and exceedingly transparent, I 
saw from the Zion's deck, on the starboard 
bow, quite a strange phenomenon far out 
at sea. It presented the appearance of a 
conflagrating vapor in the sky, near the 
horizon. On looking through my glass, lo, 
it proved to be a ship on fire. Messiah 
immediately gave order for the Zion to 
move in all haste toward it, as hope was 
cherished that the perishing crew might be 
rescued. 

The sailing qualities of the Zion were 
very great, The spumiferous waves lashed 
hither and thither, while all the Zionists 
were gazing at the burning vessel in a 
most eager manner. In the meantime a 



82 



Religious Similitude. 



signal flag of distress was unfurled over 
the unfortunate ship. The thunder of her 
cannon uttered a most distressing roar. 

"Do you think, most noble Captain, that 
we can possibly reach that perishing people 
in time to save them?" was the anxious 
inquiry of many of the Zionists. The re- 
sponse was, "We will do our best.' ' Many 
prayers were offered in behalf of those on 
board of the Skepticism. 

The cries for mercy could now be heard 
on our deck. The people of the burning 
vessel began to cry out, "What must I do 
to be saved ?" Boanerges said, "Believe 
on the Lord Messiah, and thou shalt be 
saved." At last, through the mercy of Al- 
mighty God, the Zion arrived within a short 
distance of the now flaming ship. 

"Cast anchors," cried Messiah, in a calm, 
deliberate manner. Anchors being cast, the 
following boats were lowered, the Repent- 
ance, the Faith, and the Conversion, and 
took their respective positions, and did in- 
valuable service in soul-saving. 

Some men being so anxious to be saved 
began to plunge into the sea and swim 



Religions Similitude. 



83 



for life toward the Zion. Some "were on 
boards and some on broken pieces of the 
ship." There were some people who were 
very indifferent and said, "We do not think 
that the Skepticism will be destroyed, and 
we prefer to remain where we are." Others 
on board the Skepticism made light of the 
Zion and her subordinate vessels, saying, 
"We will not belittle ourselves so much as 
to board the Zion." Thani God, the ma- 
jority availed themselves of the means of 
salvation and were saved. 

I shall now give an extract from the 
journal of Boanerges. Says he : 

"About to a. m. there seemed to be no 
danger to befall the Skepticism, as the sea 
was unusually smooth and every indication 
promised the vessel an uninterrupted sail. 
Mr. Infidel and myself were engaged in 
debate no little time that day. He chal- 
lenged me to discuss with him the subject, 
which he proposed, 'Resolved, that there is 
no God.' At first I thought of declining 
to debate with him ; but then, after care- 
ful consideration, I concluded to accept the 
challenge. So, about 10.30, the debate was 



8 4 



Religions Similitude. 



formally opened, when Mr. Infidel arose and 
said : 

' ' ' Ladies and gentlemen of the most 
noble Skepticism, I feel highly delighted 
with the gratifying privilege of declaring 
unto you that there is no God ; no one to 
reward or punish. I propose to explode 
the deluded idea of the Christian religion 
to-day. The fanatics called Christians be- 
lieve in the teachings of a book called the 
Bible. Now, as they are founded upon this, 
I propose to speak to you more particularly 
about that book. . 

'''It is devised by man, and of course 
is calculated to mislead and deceive the 
people. It is full of incredible statements, 
such as the ark of Noah, the fish story, 
and the dialogue of Job. The Bible is 
contradictory to all science. Which must 
be received — the Bible or science? Others 
do as they may, I am conformed to science. 

"'It also tells us of a Hell, or a region 
where the souls of the wicked are doomed 
to linger in fire forever. To die forever, 
and yet never dead — what an absurd idea 
is this ! 



Religions Similitude, 85 



"'The Bible teaches that there is a 
Heaven, or a realm of bliss beyond, where 
the departed spirits of the good are forever 
at rest. To be sure, this is a pleasing idea, 
yet, nevertheless, it is false. There is no 
such place. The world is all the heaven 
that any need expect. 

" 'The Bible tells us, further, that man 
has an immortal principle within, destined 
to live forever. This principle is called 
the soul, Now r , I could prove to you, ac- 
cording to the etymological construction of 
the term, that man possesses no such prin- 
ciple. Soul signifies breathing ; so you see 
that it is wholly a deluded idea. Death 
puts an end to breathing, and the soul is 
not. I want to put it on record, that I am 
not a psychologist. When a man dies he 
is no more than a brute of the field that 
perisheth. Such is the phantom in reality 
that is known as Christianity — nothing 
more than a cunningly-devised fable.'" 

The above is a brief sketch of Infidel's 
speech. The following is an epitome of 
Boanerges's reply, as taken from his jour- 
nal : 

7 



86 Religious Similitude . 



1 k I am always proud of the opportunity 
to vindicate the cause of Christianity. Like 
Paul of old, I am not ashamed of the gos- 
pel of Christ, for it is the power of God 
unto salvation to every one that believeth. 

"We believe in a Supreme First Cause. 
When we see ships, houses, and pyramids, 
we conclude that there must be an archi- 
tect somewhere. When we behold islands, 
continents, oceans, and worlds, w r e conclude 
that there is a Creator ; for the intellect 
forbids disbelief. The Bible tells us that 
'the fool hath -said in his heart, There is 
no God. Corrupt are they, and have done 
abominable iniquity.' There is no softness 
of brain, neither is it possible for the hu- 
man mind to be so impaired, as not to be 
capable of being impressed with the su- 
preme idea of a Deity. Nothing but a to- 
tally corrupt nature and a willfully-depraved 
intellect can resist the idea of an Almighty 
God. 

"The Bible contains nothing that is in- 
credible or impossible, though it may appear 
so to the class just referred to. So far as 
the Bible being contrary to science in the 



Religions Similitude. 



87 



estimation of the gentleman who preceded 
me on this floor, permit me to say that the 
Bible is the source of all true science. It 
is only averse to false science of a skeptical 
order. 

"The Bible brings life and immortality 
to light, and sunshine and comfort to the 
children of men. Christianity is no cun- 
ningly-devised fable ; but it is a wonderful 
reality. Infidelity, atheism, and skepticism 
will do to talk about when seas are calm 
and skies are clear, and when there appears 
no indication of death or danger. But let 
it be remembered that 

"'The brightest things below the sky 
Give but a flattering light : 
"We should suspect some danger nigh 
Where we possess the light. ' " 

Thus ended the fitting remarks of Boa- 
nerges. 

"The debate being ended, the next thing 
was dinner; shortly after which there was 
heard an alarming cry, Fire ! fire ! which 
created a mighty stir on board. At first it 
seemed that the fire could be extinguished ; 



88 Religious Similitude. 



then there came down a mighty wind which 
increased the flames greatly. On seeing 
that the fire increased the more, despite all 
the effort to save the ship, the captain 
shouted, 'I fear that we are lost,' 

c< These words seemed to sink down into 
the very soul of Infidel, in such a forcible 
manner as to cause him to cry almost in 
despair, and to pray in the following man- 
ner, 'Lord, have mercy on my soul. If the 
ship is lost, O God, for Christ's sake, save 
my poor, sinful soul/ 

"Captain Skeptic was now enraged at 
Infidel's conduct, and began to rebuke him ; 
but he cried the more a great deal, 'Jesus, 
Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.' 
The captain now saw that there was much 
delirium on board, and hoped still that the 
ship might be saved ; so he drew his re- 
volver on Infidel, and told him sternly that 
he would shoot him in case he did not 
cease his noise. Infidel now went into the 
cabin, and began to weep and moan fright- 
fully, calling upon the God of all the earth 
for mercy. I went in to where he was and 
said, 'Be of good cheer; arise; for Messiah 



Religious Similitude. 89 

has come to your relief, and He calleth 
thee. The Repentance is now approaching 
to take you aboard the Zion.' 

"On hearing such good tidings, Infidel 
ran out on deck and saw the Repentance 
coming near ; he plunged into the water, 
and began to swim toward the approaching 
vessel. Wet and dripping, he was taken on 
board the Repentance, and transferred to 
the Faith ; thence to the Conversion. He 
saw now that the Zion was but a short 
distance off. So into the water he plunged 
again, and began to swim toward her; but 
the poor fellow grew weary and sank, and 
almost drowned, when Messiah took him 
by the hand and drew him up into the ship. 
Thus, after a hard struggle, Infidel got on 
board the Zion. Her great Captain gave 
him some restoratives, and removed his wet 
garments and put on him a 'white robe,' 
and gave him the ' new name' of Convert." 

It was not very long until the majority 
of souls were taken from the burning Skep- 
ticism and graciously delivered on board 
the Zion. Captain Skeptic and some of his 
crew looked on in derision, and, when told 



90 Religious Similitude. 

that the vessel would directly perish, would 
say, "Go thy way for this time : at a more 
convenient season I will call for thee." 
When the Repentance was alongside of the 
flaming Skepticism for the last time, and 
they were insisted upon to desert the vessel 
in all haste, and get on board and be trans- 
ferred to the £ion, the indifferent reply 
was, "Time enough yet." Loved ones and 
friends entreated these adamantine-hearted 
people to desert the burning ship and get 
aboard the Zion, and ship for glory ; but 
no tears nor entreaties could move that 
stubborn-hearted people. 

At last the Repentance sailed away, as 
did. the other subordinates, and I saw that 
the Skepticism began to sink, and that those 
who remained aboard thereon began to cry, 
"Come to us and save us." Messiah re- 
plied, "Because I have called and ye have 
refused, I have stretched out My hand and 
ye have not regarded, therefore I will laugh 
at your calamity, and mock when your fear 
cometh." 

The perishing crew now began to walk 
up and down the gangway, clutching at the 



Religions Similitude. 



9* 



rigging, when, lo ! the vessel sank ; and 
when the smoke cleared away, there was 
not a vestige of the Skepticism to be seen. 

An incident that I must now relate fain 
would I omit ; but I relate it as a warning 
to all who may peruse these pages. 

Mr. Love Drink, wife, and only child had 
for some time been sailing on the Zion. 
Love Drink would not have been received 
on board had he not solemnly promised to 
lead a life of sobriety and holiness. He 
was the only child of John and Mary Greed 
Gain, and was a man of many virtues and 
amiable qualities. His deeds of charity 
distinguished his life. But he was fond of 
strong drink, which was his final destruc- 
tion. He was joined in holy wedlock to 
Miss Piety, the amiable daughter of a 
dignitary. She was an accomplished lady 
of rare beauty and religious attainments. 
Thousands of people crowded the cathedral 
to witness their marriage. The bride was 
elaborately dressed in the costliest silk, pe- 
culiar only to a lady of her circle of life. 
As the bride and groom passed down the 



9 2 



Religious Similitude, 



aisle to the hymeneal altar, flowers of rare 
beauty and fragrance were showered upon 
them. 

On the marriage-day the groom solemnly 
promised the bride that he would wholly 
abstain from the drink of ardent spirits, 
and in confirmation to this gave his heart 
to God and his name to the Church. He 
kept his promise and ran well for several 
years. Finally, on Christmas-day he got a 
taste of liquor which seemed to arouse 
within him a burning thirst for more ; and 
in spite of the pleadings and tears of the 
Zionists and of woman's devotion, he yielded 
to strong drink, and became beastly intoxi- 
cated. 

Messiah had His patience tried thoroughly 
with him. I heard Him say, "I know thy 
works. I will spew thee out of My mouth.' ' 

Being ashamed of Love Drink's conduct, 
the wife and daughter, weary and heart-sick, 
retired early that evening. The drunken 
Love Drink was forced to bed by the au- 
thorities of the ship, but not before much 
damage had been done to the vessel. 

Now about 9 p. m. many on board were 



Religious Similitude. 



93 



startled at hearing several reports from a 
revolver. Immediately many of the excited 
Zionists sprang wildly to the door of the 
room in which Mr. Love Drink, wife, and 
daughter had retired, but found the door 
locked and bolted. After much difficulty 
they succeeded in opening the door, but 
only to be shocked by a horrible scene, 
Love Drink's wife was lying on the bed, 
bleeding profusely, while the daughter was 
now hushed in death. Mr. Love Drink him- 
self was mortally wounded. 

Now this sad tragedy explained itself. 
Love Drink, in a fit of dementia, caused by 
excessive drinking, conceived the terrible 
idea of killing his wife and child and then 
of committing suicide. He first shot his 
darling wife, then his daughter, — the latter 
dying instantly, being shot through the head. 
The former lived about two hours, conscious 
to the last moment. Love Drink had shot 
his wife through the breast, and then placed 
with his own hands the revolver against his 
breast and fired. The ball passed slightly 
to the right, making an ugly wound. 

The man and his wife were placed under 



94 



Religious Similitude, 



the best medical care possible. He was 
thought to be very hopeful, while she was 
pronounced to be in a hopeless condition. 
About ten that night the wife called to her 
husband, who was lying on a bed at the 
farther side of the room, and said : 

"My dear husband, I did not think that 
you would commit such a deed. You have 
killed your darling little girl, and have taken 
the life of your wife, who has always en- 
deavored to make your life comfortable and 
happy. You have, I fear, killed yourself. 
It was not you that committed this awful 
deed, my darling husband. No ; it was the 
demon alcohol." 

Just then Love Drink was moved out into 
an adjoining room, as hope was cherished 
that he would recover. These were the last 
words that the dying woman ever spake 
audibly. Shortly after this she passed away 
without a struggle. 

The morning dawned, and the sea never 
reflected a brighter morning glory, blended 
with a more delicate blue ; but, ah ! it could 
not drive the darkness and gloom from our 
bleeding and sorrowing hearts. Love Drink 



Religions Similitude, 



95 



did not appear to be in a dangerous condi- 
tion, so far as the wound was concerned ; 
but there was a deeper wound even to his 
very soul, at the thought of what he had 
done. 

Now, as there came along a vessel bound 
for the native land of Mr. Love Drink's wife 
and daughter, the authorities gave orders 
that the deceased should be taken there 
for burial. The supreme question now was 
whether it would be judicious for him to be 
permitted to view the last remains of the 
ones he so much loved. Some said that in 
case that he was permitted he would be so 
overcome by grief that death would be in- 
evitable ; others said it would be more fatal 
in the event that he was not permitted. 
The wounded man now began to beg so 
pitifully to see the forms of his dead as to 
move Surgeon Hope to grant that he be so 
permitted. 

First, the lifeless form of his daughter 
was brought in and placed by his bedside. 
He placed his hand upon the cold, pale 
cheek of the one he loved so much in days 
of yore, and began to weep bitterly. His 



9 6 



Religious Similitude. 



wound had so weakened him that he was 
quite hoarse, which gave to his voice a 
hideous sound. " Farewell, my precious 
child," he said. "Would God I had died 
for thee. O Rosie ! my daughter, my daugh- 
ter!" Then the corpse was taken out of 
the room and placed on board the vessel 
that should bear it to burial. 

The most affecting scene that ever I wit- 
nessed now followed. Borne by three, the 
casket that contained his wife's dead body 
was brought in and placed by his side. I 
would now like to .draw a veil over this sad 
scene ; but I will forbear, as this is hoped 
to be a warning to all who are habitual 
drinkers. Love Drink now arose to a sit- 
ting position, and first took a silent view of 
the remains of his wife. In the meantime 
the bitter tears began to trickle down his 
sorrowing cheeks, as he opened his mouth 
and said, in all the anguish of his soul : 

"Cursed be all intoxicants. May God 
strike intemperance a death-blow beyond the 
power of the resurrection to resuscitate ! ' ' 
Then placing his hand upon the brow of 
his deceased wife, and somewhat reclining 



Religions Similitude. 97 



over the casket, he said : "My darling wife, 
thou hast been to me the best friend I ever 
found, and I hope, through God's unbounded 
love, to meet you in realms above. You 
always were kind and good to me." 

As he uttered the following words, thou- 
sands of people were flooded in tears : 

"May the remembrance of the day perish 
on which I took my first drink. Oh that I 
could live my life over again ! May the 
night be forgotten in w r hich I shed the pre- 
cious blood of my dear wife!" While the 
coffin was now being borne away, he uttered 
the following words, that were enough to 
break the heart of an adamant: "Farewell, 
O my darling, farewell!" 

Such lamentation was almost enough to 
startle the dead ; but, alas ! no remorse or 
lamentation can recall a past action. He 
never recovered ; he did not reach the land 
of rest. But I saw that his wife and daugh- 
ter went up to Heaven in a chariot of fire. 
Love Drink never again saw the glorified 
forms of his departed dead. 

Strong drink at the last "biteth like a 
serpent and stingeth like an adder." 



CHAPTER V. 



The Emperor is Chagrined at his Loss. 
The Backslide and the Lukewarm. 
A Naval Battle. Execution of 
Indifference. 



There was much joy entertained on 
board the Zion over those who had been 
rescued from the Skepticism. Many voices 
swelled the anthem : 

"Spread your sails, while heavenly breezes 
Gently waft our vessel on. 
All on board are sweetly singing ; 
Free salvation is the song." 



Religious Similitude. 



99 



Never in the history of the Zion had there 
been greater prosperity ; for about this time 
there were reported many successes from all 
quarters. The greatest triumph, doubtless, 
was the defeat of the powerful fleet of 
Admiral Gossip. This fleet had been fitted 
out by the emperor, and put under the 
command of Gossip. The emperor had 
hoped that this fleet would be of the great- 
est service to him, and it assumed the 
name "Inferno." This Gossip was an old 
experienced admiral, being a first cousin to 
Temptation and a near relative to the em- 
peror. He had distinguished himself in 
many naval battles. 

Off Hell's Neck Steadfast encountered 
Gossip's fleet, and after a hard-fought battle 
was victorious. In the midst of the heat 
of the battle, Steadfast inflicted a severe 
wound upon Gossip, who instantly retreated. 
His boasted fleet was destroyed, and all 
aboard his vessels were either killed or 
captured by Steadfast's men. There were 
many, however, killed on both sides. Of 
the Zionists, by the hand of Gossip were 
cut down Timidity, Incredulity, and Tender- 



IOO 



Religious Similitude. 



foot. Of Gossip's men fell Sailor Tattler, 
Captain Defame, and Commodore Jealousy. 
These were a few of the many who were 
slain in this bloody conflict ; but I under- 
stand that they left a considerable offspring 
behind. 

Admiral Gossip had made many success- 
ful assaults on the Zionists, albeit this time 
he was completely routed. There were now 
many prisoners of the Lord aboard the Zion, 
and her colors were flying in triumph. 
There was prolonged rejoicing among the 
Zionists. When all her voices were in 
complete chorus, and all her batons in full 
wave, and all her orchestra in sweet har- 
mony, and all her trumpets in full blast, 
the enchanted Zion hosts began to think 
that they were nearing the shores of the 
glory land. But not yet ; this was only a 
foretaste of Heaven. Not yet must the 
armor be laid aside ; for the Zion was not 
beyond the gunshot of the enemy. 

Now when the news of these disasters 
came to the emperor, he was no little 
chagrined, and no wonder; for his noble 
1 ' Skepticism' ' had been burned, and the 



Religious Similitude, 



101 



' ' Inferno" had been destroyed, and thou- 
sands of his subjects had been captured or 
killed. 

Immediately there was called a city coun- 
cil to determine the best means by which 
the emperor might repair his loss. He ad- 
dressed the assembly as follows : 

"Most noble citizens of the imperial city 
of Wickedness, I am no little pained at hear- 
ing that Admiral Gossip has been severely 
wounded, and his great fleet, the ' Inferno, ' 
was destroyed by the intrepid Steadfast. 
The destruction of the fleet would not be 
so unbearable, were it not for the loss of 
three distinguished officers, who have ren- 
dered to me invaluable service. Sailor Tat- 
tler, Captain Defame, and Commodore Jeal- 
ousy's efficiency will never be forgotten. 
These men heroically braved death at their 
respective posts of duty. I would that the 
destruction of Gossip's fleet was all ; but 
with sadness we must chonicle the destruc- 
tion of the Skepticism, which perished in 
the flames. 

"The Zionists have also made many other 
inroads upon us. I think it best for me to 

8 



102 



Religious Similitude. 



appoint Captain Temptation to pursue the 
Zion again, as he is very discreet in all 
manner of enticement, and skillful in all 
manner of dexterity." 

"Well considered," cried many of the 
exasperated citizens. 

Now the magnificent Backslide was made 
attractive and odorous with cassia, mag- 
nolia, geraniums, roses, and all manner of 
beautiful and fragrant flowers. Temptation 
desired that the Lukewarm, Captain Indif- 
ference, should accompany him on the ex- 
pedition, and his desire was readily granted. 
The Lukewarm was provided with the rarest 
eider-down, so passengers could sleep night 
and day in disregard of storm or danger. 
Such a vessel would be useful in the service 
of Satan. 

After a few days' preparation, Commodore 
Temptation — for he had now received this 
rank — set sail with about five hundred se- 
lect men. Temptation had said, "Give me 
the Backslide and the Lukewarm and those 
select men, and I will capture the Zion 
through flattery and deceit." Colonel Apos- 
tasy, and Honorable Fall Fromgrace, and 



Religions Similitude. 103 



many other equally distinguished men went 
on this expedition. 

I saw, when Commodore Temptation 
pushed under the side of the Zion, that he ' 
tried to make the Zionists believe that he 
also was of the "Messianic Line"; but he 
could not establish this doctrine to any ex- 
tent, for Messiah had warned the Zionists 
against Satan's wiles and transformations. 
However, there were a few people who 
believed that the Lukewarm was of the 
Messianic Line, and they got into it to 
take a sleep on her soft couches. 

Now when Temptation saw that he could 
not meet with much success toward estab- 
lishing the idea that the Backslide was of 
the same line of ships as the Zion, he re- 
sorted to other means of craft. On seeing 
a man by the name of Unstable come out 
on the Zion's deck, Temptation raised his 
hat, with all the politeness of a dude, and 
said, 

"Good morning, Mr. Unstable. I rejoice 
to meet you again. What are you doing 
on board the Zion ? ' ' 

"I am en route to a goodly land," was 



104 



Religious Similitude. 



the reply, " which, I am told, is free from 
sorrow and death, and whose pleasures 
banish pain." 

"I have met with some silly -minded 
people like yourself, before this, who left 
our pleasant city and boarded the Zion, 
subjecting themselves to storms, tempests, 
wrecks, and sea-monsters. I beseech you 
to act the part of a wise man, and give up 
such a perilous voyage." 

"Well," said Unstable, "I have so far 
been tossed to and fro by the storms, and 
harassed by the pirates, and I find your 
words true. I do not see that I am any 
nearer Heaven to-day than when I set sail." 

"Get down then into the Backslide, and I 
will take you back to the city," said Temp- 
tation. 

So Unstable disembarked from the Zion 
and boarded the Backslide, which elated the 
heart of the crafty Temptation very much. 

Now about this time there came on deck 
of the Zion two young ladies who were 
very beautiful and intelligent. I feared 
greatly that they would be persuaded to 
leave the £ion ; but, on hearing that they 



Religions Similitude. 105 

were the daughters of Mr. Firmness, I was 
relieved of all fear ; for I knew that they 
inherited enough brain and brawn from 
their father to resist all the flattery and de- 
ceit of Temptation. On seeing the ladies, 
he became a distillation of smiles, and ad- 
dressed himself to them as follows : 

"Ladies, I am glad to see your lovely 
forms once more. But it gives me pain to 
know that you are so demented with the 
idea of Heaven as to sacrifice all the plea- 
sures of the world and to enter upon such 
a voyage.' ' 

' 'We are seeking for an incorruptible 
crown," said the ladies, "that fadeth not 
away, which the. lovely Messiah has prom- 
ised to give us at the terminus of this 
voyage." 

"You are making this voyage to the 
sacrifice of every pleasure which this life 
affords." 

"We are not caring so much about this 
temporal life and its carnal desires, but we 
are seeking after eternal life," said the la- 
dies. "The Bible tells us that ' there is 
no man that hath left house, or brethren, 



106 Religious Similitude. 

or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or 
children, or lands, for Messiah's sake, but 
he shall receive a hundred-fold now in this 
time, and in the world to come eternal 
life.'" 

Then I heard the daughters of Mr. Firm- 
ness sing : 

"My heavenly home is bright and fair, 
No pain nor death can enter there ; 
Its glittering towers the sun outshine; 
That heavenly mansion shall be mine." 

Temptation now seemed to be almost 
startled at such an anthem, and it appeared* 
that he was completely disappointed. In 
the meantime Unstable was crouched in 
one corner of the vessel, hiding his face 
with his hands, like a culprit. So Temp- 
tation, to his chagrin, found that the daugh- 
ters of Mr. Firmness had backbone. 

Pilgrim now happened on deck of the 
Eion ; but Temptation, knowing that he 
could not entice him — for he had thor- 
oughly tried him before — dropped his head 
until Pilgrim disappeared. On being as- 
sured that this intrepid man was quite out 



Religious Similitude. 



107 



of sight, Temptation raised his head, and, 
behold, there were many who now ap- 
peared on the lion's deck. His counte- 
nance flushed again, as if by magic power, 
and he arose and said : 

"Fellow citizens, I have been deputed by 
his majesty, Satan, to reclaim you from the 
trammels of the Zion. You were formerly 
the brave subjects of our emperor, but you 
have been captured by the Zionists. If you 
will board the Backslide with me, I will 
take you back to the city whence you 
came ; and I assure you that the emperor 
will promote you to great honors." 

Mr. Convert replied as follows: "We are 
the obedient children of Messiah, and the 
ever-loyal people to the £ion. We are en 
route to Heaven, and realize that every day 
brings us nearer to its unspeakable glories. 
Though storms and tempests beat upon us, 
and we are tossed to and fro upon the 
maddened billows, yet we take new courage 
by the way, and 'where the vanguard camps 
to-day, the rear shall rest to-morrow.' " 

The commodore was completely confound- 
ed at the boldness of Convert, perceiving 



108 Religious Similitude, 

that he was the same man whose former 
name was Infidel, who had been rescued 
from the Skepticism. He took knowledge 
that Convert had been with Messiah. Con- 
vert grew strong in speech, insomuch that 
he confounded the people who were aboard 
the Satanic vessels ; proving that Messiah 
is the very Christ, and that the citizens 
should turn from the destruction of sin unto 
righteousness, and from the power of Satan 
unto the true and living God. But all that 
heard him were amazed and said, "Is not 
this he that aforetime denounced Messiah, 
the Bible, and everything appertaining there- 
to? Surely this is the man." Some said 
that he was beside himself ; and others, 
that much learning had made him mad. 
Commodore Temptation feared Convert in- 
somuch as to retreat from his presence ; 
and Captain Indifference, of the Lukewarm, 
trembled and said, "Almost thou persuadest 
me to be a Zionist." But he fled, leaving 
the Lukewarm without a commander, while 
two hundred of Temptation's select men 
deserted him and boarded the Zion. 

The Lukewarm, now having no one to 



Religions Similitude. 109 



command her, began to float down the cur- 
rent, while all the crew were sound asleep 
upon eider-down couches. It was not far 
below to an awful cataract, toward which 
the vessel was drifting. Evangelist, being 
cn deck of the Zion, saw the pending dan- 
ger of the sleepers, and began to cry aloud, 
"What mean ye, O sleepers? Awake, thou 
that sleepest ! Aw r ake, awake!" 

As the Lukewarm got almost to the verge 
of the cataract, Evangelist now 7 cried with 
all the power and earnestness of his soul : 
"Arouse, ye sleepers! Death is near you." 
Still they slept as dead men, and over the 
cataract they plunged into death. 

Emperor Satan, on being informed of Com- 
modore Temptation's return and his signal 
failure to entice the Zionists, declared war 
against Messiah. A powerful fleet was fit- 
ted out and put to sea, under the command 
of the emperor in person. There were one 
hundred and fifty cannon and ten thousand 
stand of arms, one hundred and twenty 
ships of the line and eighty frigates. 

Now the Zion, being aware of the war 
declaration, cast anchors and prepared her- 



no 



Religious Similitude. 



self for the conflict. Messiah gave His 
men instructions as follows : 

"Put on the whole armor of God, that 
ye may be able to stand against the wiles 
of the devil. We wrestle not against flesh 
and blood, but against principalities, against 
powers, against the rulers of darkness, against 
spiritual wickedness in high places. Where- 
fore take unto you the whole armor of God, 
that ye may be able to withstand in the 
evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 
Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about 
with truth, and having on the breastplate 
of righteousness, and your feet shod with 
the preparation of the gospel of peace, and 
above all taking the shield of faith, where- 
with ye shall be able to quench all the 
fiery darts of the wicked. And take the 
helmet of salvation, and the sword of the 
Spirit, which is the Word of God. The 
weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but 
mighty through God in pulling down the 
strongholds of sin." 

I saw now, when Messiah had given the 
necessary instructions to His men, that the 
emperor's fleet was heaving in sight of the 



Religious Similitude. in 



Zion. The sight of such a powerful fleet 
created no little excitement on board the 
Zion, especially among the weak and feeble 
in faith. Captain Feeble Faith insisted that 
the Zion should surrender without offering 
battle; for "it is," said he, "impossible for 
her to withstand the heavy cannonade of so 
strong a fleet." 

"Surrender? No," cried Steadfast; "we 
mean to fight to the last man. We know 
no such word as surrender. In the name 
of Messiah and the invincible Zion, we 
shall conquer." 

Shot and shell now crashed against the 
sides of a struggling vessel of the Messianic 
Line, commanded by Captain Faintheart. 
He offered no resistance, but surrendered 
at once. There were about five hundred 
men under Faintheart, all of whom were 
paroled, save the officers, who were tried 
for perfidy and put to death by Executioner 
Despair. The following are the names of 
the men who met with such a sad fate : 
Captain Faintheart, Commodore Nohope, and 
Sailor Discourage. Messiah tried to save 
the lives of those men, but all in vain. 



ii2 Religious Similitude. 



The battle now became general, and shot 
and shell flew amain, while a cloud of 
smoke enveloped the sea in darkness. Cap- 
tain Pilgrim, who now had received this 
rank, in the midst of the fury of the battle, 
destroyed the flag-ship of the emperor's 
fleet, and slew Captain Persecution. Now 
Commodore Steadfast fought so valiantly as 
to crimson the sea with blood, and captured 
the royal vessel ; and, as the emperor was 
passing out, Steadfast with a mallet struck 
him a violent blow on the head, which 
caused him to cry out by reason of pain and 
to groan frightfully. The emperor made his 
escape, but not without a bruised head. 
About this time Mr. Convert sprang on deck 
of a vessel of the "Satanic Line," wading 
through carnage and blood, and seriously 
wounded Captain Unbelief and slew Mid- 
shipman Makesport. 

Now the emperor's fleet was almost de- 
stroyed. He, accompanied by his deputy 
and the lord mayor of Wickedness and many 
of his chief men, fled back to the city. In 
a short time after the emperor set sail, all 
the remaining vessels and all the w r ar equip- 



Religious Similitude, 



ments surrendered to the Zion. The battle 
was ended. Many thousands had been slain. 

I must not fail to say that the daughters 
of Mr. Firmness faithfully administered to 
the wants of the wounded and the dying. 
There was much rejoicing on board, as the 
Zion set sail after such a bloody conflict. 
Banners were flying in triumph above the 
many thousands who had been captured from 
Satan. The standard of the cross was ele- 
vated, and the flag of Heaven was unfurled 
and waved in token of victory. 

Among the prisoners was a young lady 
who was served with a writ of habeas cor- 
pus. This lady, it will be remembered, de- 
serted the Zion some years before. The 
name of this lady was Miss Pride. Those 
who brought her in court and into Messiah's 
presence said, "Master, this woman was 
taken in adultery. Now Moses in the law 
commanded us that such should be stoned ; 
but what sayest Thou? She is also guilty 
of falling from grace, and of many more 
sins, such as becoming a vain and loyal 
citizen of Wickedness and a faithful subject 
of Satan." 



ii4 



Religious Similitude. 



But Messiah stooped down and wrote on 
the floor, as though He heard them not. 
So, when they continued asking Him, He 
lifted up Himself and said unto them, "He 
that is without sin among you, let him first 
cast a stone at her." And again He stooped 
down and wrote, "The law was given by 
Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus 
Christ." And they which heard it, being 
convicted by their own conscience, went out 
one by one, and Messiah was left alone, and 
the woman, standing in the midst. When 
Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none 
but the woman, lie said unto her, "Woman, 
where are those thine accusers? Hath no 
man condemned thee?" She said, "No 
man, Lord." And Messiah said unto her, 
"Neither do I condemn thee. Go, and sin 
no more." 

I saw now that Emperor Satan had ar- 
rived at the city of Wickedness. He found 
the imperial city was greatly excited ; for 
the news had reached it that the entire 
fleet was either destroyed or captured, and 
that the emperor was seriously wounded 
and also captured. But the return of the 



Religious Similitude. 



"5 



emperor aroused the city to the greatest 
enthusiasm. 

Not many days after the emperor's return 
to the city, Captain Indifference was brought 
to trial for the manner in which he had 
deserted the magnificent Lukewarm, on the 
occasion of Commodore Temptation's last 
expedition against the Zionists. His indict- 
ment was not so much for disloyalty, as 
neutrality. 

The proclamation was now made that they 
who had anything to say against the pris- 
oner at the bar should immediately appear 
and testify. There were two who witnessed 
against him — to wit, Commodore Temptation 
and Sailor Profane. 

Temptation made the following statement : 
"My lord, I have been personally acquainted 
with the prisoner, Captain Indifference, for 
many years. I have never regarded him 
as an efficient man in my lord's service. I 
had him to accompany me on the expe- 
dition now in question, hoping, as we had 
no fighting to do, that we might develop 
something out of him. But after I had se- 
cured many from the 2ion, and placed them 



n6 Religious Similitude, 

on board the Lukewarm in his charge, I 
found, to my mortification, that he deserted 
the vessel, and let it be carried over the 
cataract by the tide. I cannot say that he 
is either for or against my lord. So I think, 
as he is not valiant, he ought to die." 

Then the emperor called on Profane to 
state, in the presence of the jury, what he 
had to say for his lord, the emperor, against 
the prisoner. Then they swore him, so he 
began: "My lord, I have but little personal 
acquaintance with Captain Indifference, but 
have heard enough about him to convince 
me that he is an inefficient fellow. He 
formerly was a Zionist, but was a drone 
there, and finally, after he was thoroughly 
tested, Messiah of the £ion said that he 
was neither cold nor hot. Now, all that I 
know about him since he has been in my 
lord's service is, that he has been a good- 
for-nothing fellow, a drone — always neutral." 

"May I speak a few words in my own 
defense?" inquired Indifference. 

"Thou art not worthy," replied the em- 
peror; "but it is our law that such as de- 
sire may speak in their own behalf before 



Religious Similitude. 



117 



sentence is passed — so thou art permitted 
to speak." 

''I say, then, in order to convince this 
court of my innocence, that I was a Zionist 
ten years, and during all that time I never 
did my lord Satan any harm. And that — " 

"Hold!" cried the exasperated emperor. 
"You are not licensed to ramble over that 
period of your wasted life in order to tell 
what you did not do then, but what you 
have failed to do since. Now come to the 
point, and tell this jury the manner of your 
life since you have been in my service, 
and assign your reason for abandoning the 
Lukewarm." 

"Well, for the last twelve years I have 
been a quiet subject of my lord, as you all 
know. I have never intentionally, during 
these years, done anything either to harm 
the Zionists or my lord Satan's cause. And 
as regarding being called into question about 
abandoning the Lukewarm, I must say that 
I did neglect my duty there, but never meant 
it as a mark of disloyalty to my lord, the 
emperor, or as wrong to Messiah." 

Then the emperor called to the jury and 
9 



n8 Religious Similitude. 



said, " Gentlemen of the jury, you have 
heard the evidence that has been given 
against this man, also you have heard his 
reply and confession. It now remains with 
you to say whether he be executed or not." 

Then the jury retired, whose names were 
Mr. Blasphemy, Mr. Haughty, Mr. Lust, Mr. 
Rum, Mr. Atheism, Mr. Darkness, Mr. Hate, 
Mr. Scoff, Mr. Bitter, Mr. Lovesin, Mr. Liar, 
and Mr. Malice, who each gave his private 
verdict against Indifference among them- 
selves, and then unanimously brought him 
guilty before the emperor. Mr. Blasphemy 
was the first to speak, who said, "I see 
that this man is of no service to us, and is 
worthy of death." Mr. Haughty said, "Let 
him die." Mr. Lust said, "Away with 
him." Mr. Rum said, "He is a many-sided 
fellow." Mr. Atheism said, "He does us 
more injury than good." Mr. Darkness said, 
"So be it to all drones." Mr. Hate said, 
"I believe him to be a Zionist." "Hang 
him," said Mr. Scoff. "He can't be trust- 
ed," said Mr. Bitter. Mr. Lovesin said, 
' ' He is too quiet for me.' ' ' ' Die he must, ' ' 
cried Mr, Liar. Mr. Malice said, "Hang 



Religious Similitude. 119 

him, for we do not want such an inefficient 
man in our lord's service.' ' 

So the jury went in before the emperor, 
and rendered the verdict of Guilty. Now 
I saw that this pleased the emperor very 
much. He now commanded the prisoner to 
stand before him, and then he pronounced 
the following sentence : 

"Indifference, it appears that you must 
die ; for the jury is unanimous against you. 
Suffer me to say that I loathe a man who 
w T ill compromise with the Zionists, and will 
then turn around and will profess to my 
valiant men to be a faithful subject of 
mine. Thou hypocritical, confirmed drone, 
thou shalt die ! " 

So they did unto him according to the 
sentence. 



CHAPTER VI. 



PlEGRIM LEFT WHILE SLEEPING. ENTER- 
TAINED at a Light-House. His 
Experience in the Land 
of Yain Glory. 

o&c 

Again Satan equipped two vessels, the 
Formality and the Hypocrisy, to sail out in 
pursuit of the Zion, hoping to secure much 
booty by this means, which would enable 
him to build up his shattered empire. These 
vessels were commanded by skillful cap- 
tains, and in due time put to sea from the 



Religious Similitude. 



121 



port of Hell. Both of these vessels were 
flying under the flag of the Zionists, and 
cut through a certain strait called Doctrine, 
and bore down on the Zion. 

Pilgrim, being out on deck and seeing 
the vessels cut through the strait and sail 
alongside the Zion, asked some passengers 
of those vessels whence came they and 
whither were they going. 

The reply was, "We were born in the 
town of Vanity, and are en route to the 
Celestial City." 

"Why did you not come," said Pilgrim, 
"in a legal way, and avail yourselves of 
the Zion's subordinate vessels — viz., the 
Repentance, the Faith, and the Conversion? 
Know ye not that it is written that 'he 
that cometh not in by the door, but climb- 
eth up some other way, the same is a thief 
and a robber' ?" 

They said that "to go to so much trouble 
as to fool with the subordinate vessels of 
which you speak, would be unnecessary, 
when we can take a nigh cut. Further, 
for us to trifle with the Repentance, the 
Faith, and the Conversion would be too 



122 



Religious Similitude, 



humiliating for people of our dignity — as 
they are open vessels and very rude, and, of 
course, would be detrimental to our cloth- 
ing. We cannot endure the idea of bowing 
or crouching into the dust of such plain 
and seatless vessels. These vessels are in- 
tended for the common and lower classes 
of people." 

"Know ye not that it is written that 'As 
I live, saith Messiah, every knee shall bow 
to Me, and every tongue shall confess to 
God,' and that you are trespassing upon 
the Lord of the place to which you are 
journeying?" 

They told him, "That as for that he need 
not trouble his brain about them ; for they 
had custom for what they did, for more 
than a thousand years. If we are in the 
way, what matters it how we got into it?" 

"Much, every way; for ye came in by 
form and ordinance, which save no man, 
since he fails to come in by the door." 

Now in this they made Pilgrim no reply, 
save telling him to look to himself. So, 
after this there was no more conversation 
between Pilgrim and the passengers of the 



Religious Similitude. 123 



Formality and the Hypocrisy, and I saw 
that the Zion soon left them in the rear. 
The Zion kept straight forward, and after 
no little difficulty passed through quite a 
shoal, while the Formality and the Hypoc- 
risy separated, and one passed to the right 
and the other to the left. 

After this the Zion soon came to another 
very dangerous shoal, and was put hard to 
it to sail at all, but moved with vigor on 
until about through, when, to the delight 
of all on board, she pushed into a favorable 
body of placid water, called the Beautiful 
Haven. 

Here the Zion anchored for a while, 
under the cover of some great rocks that 
towered many feet above the sea. Now 
Pilgrim betook himself to a small vessel 
that was attached to the Zion, called the 
Lukewarm, and after rowing about over the 
delightful waters for a while — as was the 
custom of the Zionists when the Zion was 
at anchor — he fell asleep. On awaking, to 
his utmost sorrow he found that the Zion 
had sailed, and that he was left behind. 
He now plied oars with the greatest vim to 



124 Religious Similitude, 



his little boat, hoping to overtake the Zion. 
Now he toiled and tugged and sweat, in get- 
ting from the Beautiful Haven and through 
the many difficulties that now beset him. 

As he had gotten nearly through, there 
met him a man in a little boat, called the 
Backslide. The man said to him, 

"You had better return with me, as I 
perceive that you are trying to overtake 
the Zion. I have been sailing on the Zion 
rr^self, and experienced so much difficulty 
that I concluded to return to the city of 
Wickedness, and give up the perilous voy- 
age to Heaven.'' 

"Oh come, my brother," said Pilgrim, 
"don't be so timid and foolish as all that. 
It may be that the most difficult part of 
your voyage is over. Don't give up Heaven 
for the sake of a few difficulties that may 
be by the way." 

"You had better conclude," said the 
man, "and do as I have done; for just 
ahead of you are some sea-monsters, that 
are quite ferocious, and perhaps, if you 
still persevere, you will fall a prey to them." 

Now I saw that Pilgrim knew not what 



Religious Similitude. 



to do ; for he could not bear the idea of 
again being enslaved to Satan and doing 
his mean behests. He felt that he would 
sustain too great a loss if he gave up 
Heaven. "So," said he, "I would rather 
die than fall into the hands of Satan again 
and abandon the hope of Heaven." 

So Pilgrim tugged on, and the man in 
the Backslide went his way. Night was 
now approaching, and Pilgrim did his ut- 
most to overtake the Zion before dark, as 
he had heard that the sea-monsters were 
more dangerous by night than by day. He 
toiled hard to overtake the Zion before 
nightfall ; but now it became evident that 
he would not ; for the Zion could not be 
seen yet, and the sun was sinking behind 
the golden West. Poor fellow, as he now 
looked up he saw quite a number of hor- 
rible-looking monsters, crouched upon a rock 
just ahead of him. 

"What must be done now," was the su- 
preme question. "To go back would be 
as dangerous perhaps as to push on ; for it 
may be that those horrible monsters are 
just now beginning to come to the surface 



T26 Religious Similitude. 

of the water, and, if so, I would perish in 
that event, and it would be more dreadful 
to die on my way to Wickedness than on 
my way to Heaven. So I am resolved to 
persevere on. I can but perish." 

Now about this time he was greatly 
cheered by seeing a light from a light- 
house that was near by. The fearful mon- 
sters gnashed their ferocious teeth at him 
as he passed them ; but he found that they 
by some means were chained to the rock. 
Onward he still steered, until he reached 
the base of the, rock on w T hich the light- 
house stood. Now in front of this building 
he came to a halt and called. 

The light-house keeper, whose name was 
Charity, came out and said, "Who are you? 
Whence came you, and whither are you 
going?" 

"My name is Pilgrim, and I am from 
the city of Wickedness, and en route to the 
Celestial City." 

Now I saw that Charity was no little 
diverted at the idea of a man sailing to 
Heaven on such a looking craft as the 
Lukewarm. 



Rcligioiis Similitude. 



127 



"What would be the chance for a poor, 
seafaring man to get lodging with you for 
the ni^ht?" inquired Pilgrim. 

"We do not make a habit of turning 
away any here ; but if you will hold a min- 
ute, I will go and see what the mistress of 
the house has to say about it." 

While Pilgrim was waiting, he thought to 
himself, as it now grew intensely dark, that 
in case he w 7 as refused entertainment he 
must undoubtedly perish. 

The mistress, on coming out, said, "I 
understand that your name is Pilgrim, and 
that you are from the city of Wickedness 
and are Heaven bound." 

"Yes, madam," said Pilgrim; "you are 
rightly informed." 

"You are quite welcome," said Mrs. 
Charity kindly, "to stay with us over night. 
Come in." 

So he proceeded to tie up his boat, and 
then was conducted into the house. 

After supper was over, and Mr. Charity 
and wife and Pilgrim were sitting pleas- 
antly around a cheerful fire, they betook 
themselves to conversation, as follows : 



128 



Religious Similitude . 



"My brother," said Charity, "it would 
be a good time for us to enter into profit- 
able conversation." 

"Very well," said Pilgrim; such a con- 
versation would be pleasant to me." 

"Why did you leave the city of Wicked- 
ness?" inquired Charity. 

"Because the laws, customs, and manners 
of the city were distasteful to me," was the 
reply. 

"Have you any further reason for de- 
serting the city and entering upon such a 
voyage ? ' ' 

"I saw that the city would be destroyed, 
and in that event I would be lost eternally 
if I did not leave. So I concluded to take 
the advice of Boanerges, and, in a legal 
way, board the £ion for the blissful land." 

"What do you mean by the expression 
' in a legal way ' ? " 

"I mean that I first got aboard the Re- 
pentance, Captain Conviction, and then was 
transferred to the Faith, Captain Belief ; 
thence to the Conversion, Captain Surren- 
der; thence to the Zion." 

"That is the right way, and the only 



Religious Similitude. 



129 



way : never was there, neither will there 
ever be, any man aboard the Zion by any 
other way. Now 7 , Brother Pilgrim, pray tell 
me of seme of your trials which you. have 
experienced since you have been a Zion- 
ist." 

"Shortly after I boarded the Zion, I ex- 
perienced a terriffic storm. The next diffi- 
culty was to resist Temptation's enticements, 
who pursued and overtook the Zion, and 
tried to get me to return with him on the 
Backslide to the city of Wickedness." 

"Were any of the Zionists persuaded by 
him to leave the Zion?" 

"Yes: Miss Pride, Mr. Worldly Minded, 
the daughters of Mr. Lovedance, three men 
of rare intellect, the sons of Mr. Worldly 
Honor, and many more, whose names I 
know not." 

"Did you meet with Mr. Deception?" 

"Yes; he also succeeded in leading many 
astray in a vessel called the Pretense, which 
was afterwards wrecked off Hell Neck, and 
the majority of the crew were lost." 

"Did you have any battles to fight by 
the way?" 



Religious Similitude. 



''Plenty of them, and very bloody ones 
too." 

" I suppose you have overcome many more 
difficulties since you entered upon this voy- 
age." 

"Oh yes: time would fail me to even 
make mention of all of them. The Zion 
passed over very difficult quicksands and 
over many shoals, rocks, and reefs. Not 
far from here, the Zion had no little dif- 
ficulty in passing through quite a shoal 
called Discourage. About half way through 
the shoal there is a certain delightful wa- 
ter, called the Beautiful Haven. I must 
say, that it would have been better for me 
if it had not been ; for there, while the 
Zion was at anchor, I betook myself to the 
Lukewarm, and I must shamefully acknowl- 
edge that in a little while I fell asleep, 
and, on awaking, found that the Zion had 
sailed, and I was left behind. This explains 
to you why it is that I appeared here, this 
evening, on such a frail craft as the Luke- 
warm. I am trying to steer my way in 
pursuit of the Zion, hoping that I may 
again board her, if, haply, I overtake her. 



Religions Similitude. 131 

I assure you that I shall not again disem- 
bark to take a nap, and be left in such a 
predicament." 

The night at the light-house was a very 
unpleasant one to Pilgrim. Indeed it was 
a sleepless night to him ; for he agonized, 
and groaned, and tossed to and fro, all night 
long. He would get up and pray ; then 
he would almost despair, as he bewailed his 
sad condition. By the time day dawned, 
he was up and ready to ply oars to his 
little craft. 

Now Mr. Charity told him that it was 
useless for him to think about overtaking 
the Zion as long as he continued in the 
Lukewarm, and he might as well give up 
such a fruitless chase. Then I saw that 
Pilgrim was distressed the more : he began 
to wring his hands in despair. 

"To return to the city of Wickedness," 
said he to himself, "would be a very bold 
undertaking ; for that, no doubt, would be 
as perilous as to persevere on. Now, if I 
did get back w T hence I came, in that event 
how miserable my life would be there. 
Many of the citizens of Wickedness would 



132 



Religious Similitude. 



make sport of me then who now acknowl- 
edge my heroism. I would be called a 
coward, a renegade, a backslider, a slug- 
gard, and what not? Indeed, it would have 
been better for me to have never started 
for Heaven, if I should now give up the 
voyage. That passage of Scripture which 
reads, ' the last state of that man is worse 
than the first,' would be fulfilled in my 
unhappy condition." 

Charity now saw that Pilgrim was greatly 
distressed in mind, and said, "My dear 
brother, I perceive that you are in trouble, 
and I wonder not at it ; for you have sinned 
most egregiously by leaving the Zion and 
resorting to the Lukewarm to take a sleep. 
Have you ever read how Samson slept, 
many years ago, so soundly as to suffer his 
enemies to have shorn off his locks and 
enslave him ? and how when the Prophet 
Jonah was sent to preach to the Ninevites he 
entered into a vessel — I suppose it was the 
same as the modern Lukewarm — and fell 
asleep, and was thrown overboard, and then 
reinstated on the 2ion through the agency of 
a great fish which the Lord had prepared?" 



Religions Similitude, 



!33 



Then Pilgrim began to cry out, wretch- 
ed man that I am!" (Romans vii. 24.) 

Charity now informed him that Messiah 
had left a little sloop, called the Prayer, 
which he could board, and in a little time 
overtake the Zion. 

''Pray get it for me at once, and I will 
set sail immediately," said Pilgrim in great 
earnestness. 

"Do not be in too much of a hurry," 
said Charity, in a grave manner. "I want 
to instruct you in regard to the management 
of that vessel. Full reliance upon God for 
favorable wind is first required ; the knees 
will have to bend, and the heart become 
broken, and the spirit contrite." Charity 
now told him that he may give the vessel 
a trial. 

So he got into the Prayer, and when he 
had complied with Charity's instructions, the 
little vessel moved rapidly along. Charity 
now bid him come back, for he was not 
done giving him instructions. Pilgrim was 
so anxious to overtake the Zion that he 
was reluctant to obey orders ; but he re- 
turned. 

10 



134 



Religious Similitude. 



He was now taken to the top of the 
light-house, and was shown many wonder- 
ful things. He could take a retrospective 
view of the past, and the rocks and reefs 
that appeared so stupendous to him as he 
passed them, now appeared quite small, in- 
somuch that he was ashamed that he had 
ever murmured or complained. He also 
saw many dangers that he had averted by 
the grace of God. He could further see, 
from the top of the light-house, many pi- 
rates that were concealed along the Zion's 
wake, which made him cry out, in strains 
of thankfulness : 

"Thus far the Lord has led me on, 

Thus far His power prolongs my days; 
And every evening shall make known 
Some fresh memorial of His grace." 

Then for some time he w r ept in penitence ; 
after which he raised the anthem, whose 
harmonious sounds rolled over the sea : 

"Through many dangers, toils, and snares 
I have already come ; 
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, 
And grace will lead me home." 



Religious Similitude . 



!35 



Pilgrim saw back, at the Beautiful Haven, 
many Zionists sleeping as if they were dead. 
<l Ah!" said he, "how foolish those people 
are. I fear that they will be lost." He now 
was given a glass, and by looking through 
it he saw the Celestial City, and then I 
heard him say : 

"Jerusalem, my happy home ! 

Name ever dear to me, 
When shall my labors have an end, 

In joy and peace and thee? 
There happier bowers than Eden bloom, 

Nor sin nor sorrow know ; 
Blest seats ! thro' rude and stormy scenes 

I onward press to you." 

Charity now took from his pocket a bottle 
of oil, and told him that he must frequently 
apply it to the Prayer. He also gave him 
some bread and wine to take with him on 
the voyage, and bid him Godspeed. 

He now set sail, and was quite happy ; 
and late in the evening, as the sun was 
bending low and the shadows were length- 
ening over the deep, he overtook the £ion. 

During his absence from the Zion, his 
wife and two sons had been delivered on 



136 Religious Similitude. 



board. When he heard this, he was rav- 
ished with joy. The meeting of Pilgrim, 
wife, and sons was a joyful one, insomuch 
as to defy all description. Husband, wife, 
and sons, with arms around each other, and 
eyes streaming with tears of joy, hearts 
swelling with gladness, amid unfeigned kiss- 
es of greeting — such an affecting scene 
electrified and enchanted thousands of the 
Zion hosts. The music on board waved so 
harmoniously as to echo above the waves, 
that seemed clapping their hands for joy, 
as they rolled over the enraptured sea, in- 
somuch as to challenge the orchestra of 
the skies. 

Now shining forms with pavilioned wings 
were seen hovering over the enchanted Zion. 
One of these shining ones was the departed 
spirit of Pilgrim and wife's only daughter, 
who died many years before. They did not 
see the departed spirit of their precious 
daughter, that had come to rejoice with 
them ; for I saw that there was a veil be- 
them them. 

As the Zion glided swiftly onward, heav- 
enly breezes floated around her sails, and in 



Religious Similitude. 137 



the meantime Convert and Pilgrim betook 
themselves to conversation. Convert told 
Pilgrim that many of the Zionists had be- 
come quite anxious about his welfare during 
his absence. 

"Some feared that, while the Zion was 
struggling through the reef of Discourage, 
you had fallen overboard from deck and 
perished. Others said that there was a 
probability of your being asleep in the 
Lukewarm, back in the Beautiful Haven. 
The general opinion of the people was that 
you had boarded the Backslide and returned 
to the city of Wickedness, whence you came, 
and that you were hopelessly lost. So, you 
see that you were the topic of the day and 
the subject of prayer on board the Zion." 

Pilgrim began to break his mind to Con- 
vert as follows : 

"I remained on the Zion until she ar- 
rived at the Beautiful Haven ; then, while 
she was at anchor, I betook myself to the 
Lukewarm, and — wretched me ! — I soon 
fell asleep. When awaking, I found that 
the Zion had sailed, and that I was left 
behind. In the excitement of the moment 



138 Religious Similitude. 



I knew not what to do, but finally concluded 
to make the best of the bad, by plying oars 
to the Lukewarm, if haply I might overtake 
the Zion. I was put hard to it to steer my 
way through the quicksands that are on 
this side of the Beautiful Haven. Now, 
when I had nearly gotten- through, behold, 
I saw a man coming toward me swiftly, as 
the current was favorable for sailing that 
way. The man's name was Mr. Unsteady, 
and he was aboard the Backslide. " 

4 'Did he try to get you to go with him?" 
asked Convert. 

"Yes; but I .told him that I would not, 
and I pushed on, while he went his way ; 
and thus we separated." 

"Did he tell you that you would likely 
have trouble or meet with any danger by 
the way?" 

"He said that just chead of me were 
some fearful sea-monsters, which, I must 
say, caused me to suffer no little uneasi- 
ness ; but onward I pushed, — when, lo ! I 
looked up, I saw many of these fearful- 
looking creatures crouched upon a rock 
just ahead of me and a little to the left. 



Religions Similitude. 



139 



On seeing this, the hair of my head almost 
stood up on end, and I did not know what 
to do. I at last thought it would likely be 
death either way I went ; so I concluded it 
would be better for me to die with my face 
Zionward ; and onward I pushed, while the 
ferocious teeth of these grim monsters were 
gnashing at me. Soon I arrived at the 
light-house where Mr. Charity lives, who 
kindly entertained me during the night, for 
it was now getting dark." 

"I hope, Brother Pilgrim, that you did 
not think that you could overtake the Zion 
by means of the Lukewarm." 

"I did, and neither did I know any better 
until the next morning, when Mr Charity 
informed me otherwise. He, after giving 
me much instruction and showing me many 
things, placed me on the Prayer ; but not 
before he instructed me how to manage 
such an acute sloop." 

After Pilgrim was thus graciously deliv- 
ered on board the Zion by means of the 
Prayer, he was humble, faithful, and true 
for many years, after which he got a little 
careless. The Zionists had for a topic of 



140 



Religious Similitude. 



conversation his acutely - contrived vessel. 
He himself began to put a great deal of 
confidence in the Prayer. He was accus- 
tomed to making little excursions by him- 
self, independent of the Zion and her great 
and wise Commander. 

vSo, upon a time, I saw him get off the 
Zion and board the Prayer, and soon, to 
the wild amazement of many, he left the 
Zion in the rear. After he had gotten en- 
tirely out of sight of the Zion, he lifted up 
his eyes, and, behold, there was an ex- 
ceedingly beautiful continent, adorned with 
flowers and fruits most pleasing to the eye. 
The air was made fragrant with flowers, 
and bending low to the water's edge deli- 
cious fruits clustered, while birds of the 
most brilliant hues were flitting about in 
the wildest glee in the golden light, and a 
delightful landscape stretched far and wide. 
Such, at a glance, was the appearance of 
the continent of Vain Glory. 

Pilgrim said to himself, "Now I will dis- 
embark here, and take a ramble until the 
Zion comes up. I wonder what makes her 
so slow to-day, anyhow." 



Religious Similitude. 141 

At first I saw that he was charmed with 
the beauty of the land of Yain Glory, as 
he trod upon flowery lawns and partook of 
the beautiful fruit. "Everything that glit- 
ters is not gold," says an old proverb, 
which was fulfilled in this case. 

It was not long until the Zion came up, 
but she did not stop. Pilgrim began to 
call to many who were on deck, to come 
over and see what a beautiful land he had 
discovered ; but they thanked him and were 
borne on. He, on seeing that the Zion did 
not mean to stop, took from the continent 
many flowers of rare beauty, a golden 
wedge, and a Babylonish garment, and put 
to sea in order to overtake the Zion. He 
did not get far from shore, however, until, 
to his utter intimidation, his vessel stuck 
fast in the mud. He now tugged and wor- 
ried, and plied the oars to the Prayer — in 
vain to move her an inch. He then ad- 
dressed Messiah as follows : 

"Lord, Lord, have I not prophesied in Thy 
name? and in Thy name done many wonder- 
ful works? I pray Thee now to lend me a 
helping hand in this my time of great need." 



142 



Religious Similitude . 



Messiah never answered so much as a word, 
but steered the Zion onward, thus leaving 
Pilgrim in the rear again and confounded to 
know what to do. He now concluded to 
get down upon his knees, as Charity had in- 
structed him, and to exert every effort and 
stretch every nerve, but only to realize that it 
was all in vain ; for the Prayer never budged. 

Then I saw that he began to despair of 
all hope of reaching the Zion. At last he 
said to himself : 

"Why may I not dwell here, seeing that 
this appears to be a salubrious country, 
having a congenial clime, a beautiful land- 
scape adorned with bowers and shades and 
noble hills and graceful mountains, inter- 
spersed with lovely valleys, which are ani- 
mated by the hum of the bee and the flit 
of the bird, and by the voice of the silvery 
brooks and the rivulets which purl grace- 
fully from the mountains to the sea ? ' ' 

So he got out of the Prayer and waded 
ashore, and took a walk into the country. 
He observed that the natives were greatly 
astonished at his manner of dress, for he 
continued to wear the Zion garb. He was 



Religious Similitude, 143 



very much attracted at seeing a beautiful 
cottage that stood at the foot of a noble 
hill, with walks and gardens and orchards 
all about it. He had a mind to visit this 
cottage, as it was now about noon and the 
sun was shining intensely hot. So he was 
not long in passing through the fields to 
the cottage. Now, after he had dined, and 
while sitting in the parlor, he asked the 
host if there was a God w T ho presided over 
the land of Vain Glory. 

"I know not what you mean," said the 
host. 

"I mean, sir, that I have traveled much 
in my time, and wherever I have been, I 
always found a great God, who swayed the 
scepter of rule over the nations." 

''We have no God here." 

"Do the people die in this land?" 

" No, never." 

"Never die here!" said Pilgrim in great 
surprise. "Sure, I am fortunate in landing 
here ; for this is just such a world as I 
desire. Will you please get your hat and 
take a walk with me? for I desire to know 
more about this wonderful country." 



i44 Religious Similitude. 



So I saw Pilgrim and the host take leave 
of the cottage, and first walk out into the 
orchard. He was now greatly diverted at 
seeing some of the trees growing with their 
tops downward, while their roots were pro- 
jecting into the air. He saw peach-trees 
bearing pumpkins, and apple-trees bearing 
potatoes. Also, he saw ears of corn hang- 
ing on pear-trees. 

4 'Oh pray, what does all this mean?" 
asked Pilgrim excitedly. 

"These are some of the peculiarities of 
Vain Glory," responded the host indiffer- 
ently. "Next year the trees of this or- 
chard may reverse their bearing." 

Pilgrim's attention was drawn now to- 
ward many great holes, which disfigured 
the ground very much, all over the orchard. 
The host told him that those excavations 
had been made for the fruit which grew on 
the inverted trees. 

"Now," said the host, "we had better 
get out of here as quickly as possible ; for 
it might become instantly dark, and we 
might fall into those pits." 

Pilgrim now took a silent view up at the 



Religious Similitude, 



i45 



sun, which seemed to be four or five hours 
high, and then in great surprise said, 

"I hope that it will not get dark for 
some time yet, as it is only about the mid- 
dle of the evening." 

* ' Sometimes it gets intensely dark here 
at noon," said the host gravely, "insomuch 
that people have to grope in the darkness 
their way to find. It is likely to get dark 
here at any hour of the day— just as it 
happens. At other times here the sun 
shines with such power as to make the 
very earth smoke, and the people who are 
out in the fields have to flee for life from 
his burning rays." 

All of a sudden it now became intensely 
dark, and it was quite laughable to see 
Pilgrim groping in the pitch darkness. He 
had not to grope long this time, however ; 
for as suddenly as it grew dark the sun 
burst forth in full orb, insomuch that Pil- 
grim fell prostrate to the ground, as if he 
had been shot. Soon he arose and began 
to rub his eyes, and say to himself, 

"This country is not so pleasant, after 
all." 



146 



Religions Similitude. 



Just now he observed a horse which had 
claws and beak like an eagle, and a goose 
that had hoofs like a horse, stamping about 
the barn-yard. He also saw a cow with 
great w T ings, flying about in the air. 

"Ah ! what does all this mean?" inquired 
Pilgrim, in almost a demented manner. 

"These are some of the peculiar char- 
acteristics of Vain Glory," responded the 
host. 

"I dare say," said Pilgrim. "This seems 
quite strange to one who has lived in a 
world of order and system." 

Just now the smoke began to rise from 
the hill-sides, which was a signal for the 
men to retreat for shelter from the intense 
rays of the sun. At this moment Pilgrim 
and the host broke in confusion toward the 
cottage, when, lo ! they met a man who 
had but one eye, and that was on the top 
of his head. 

"I pity you," said Pilgrim to the de- 
formed man; "for you must suffer great 
inconvenience." 

"Oh yes," said the unfortunate man; 
"the sun almost puts me blind at times." 



Religions Similitude. 147 



Now Pilgrim was left some distance be- 
hind the host, as he never halted. He 
now went in all haste to overtake the host, 
when, behold, there came running a fright- 
ful creature across the field after him. It 
was a species of goat that was peculiar to 
that country. Now Pilgrim knew not what 
it was, so he increased his pace the more. 
The goat was about the size of a Jersey 
cow, and being of a dark brown, and hav- 
ing an unusually long floating mane, with 
keen eyes, and a long sharp horn in the 
center of its forehead. 

Pilgrim was put hard to it to keep out 
of the reach of the goat. Passing through 
the yard-gate, he was so hotly pursued in 
the chase as not to fasten it, and in conse- 
quence both he and the goat leaped into 
the house through the bay-window ; but, 
by the assistance of the host, he succeeded 
in defeating and thrusting his enemy out 
of the house. 

Pilgrim now began to lament that he had 
ever put his feet on the shore of such a 
country as Vain Glory. On reaching the 
cottage he was almost distracted with the 



Religions Similitude. 



headache, and asked for a cup of coffee. 
Now poor Pilgrim held his head to prevent 
its bursting by reason of pain until the 
coffee could be made. He thought the 
time long ; but at length the servant told 
him that he might give his coffee a trial, 
when, lo ! it touched his lips, it proved to 
be ice-water. He now began to chide the 
servant ; but she informed him that some- 
times, instead of boiling the water, the fire 
froze it — just as it happens. 

He now lamented greatly that he ever 
left the Zion. Vain Glory had no more 
charms for him. . He considered his miser- 
able condition, and how T his wife and sons 
were aboard the Zion, sailing Heavenward. 

"Oh that I could be with them ! ' Oh that 
I were as in months past, as in the days 
when God preserved me, when His candle 
shined upon my head, and when by His 
light I walked through darkness, when the 
Almighty was yet with me, when my chil- 
dren were about me. I put on righteous- 
ness, and it clothed me : my judgment was 
as a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to 
the blind, and was feet to the lame. And 



Religious Similitude, 



149 



I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked 
the spoil out of his teeth.'" (Job xxix. 
2, etc.) 

Pilgrim now took leave of the beautiful 
cottage, and went across the fields unto the 
beach where he had left the Prayer. As 
he walked I heard him say : 

"How vain is all beneath the skies, 
How transient every earthly bliss, 
How slender all the fondest ties 
That bind me to a world like this. 

"But though earth's fairest blossoms die, 
And all beneath the sky is vain, 
There is a brighter world on high, 
Beyond the reach of care and pain." 

His determination was to overtake the 
Zion and sail to that blissful land, or per- 
ish in the effort to steer the Prayer. He 
now wholly relied upon God for help. 

On reaching the Prayer, he cast over- 
board the Babylonish garment, the golden 
wedge, and everything which he had accu- 
mulated in Vain Glory. Then he got into 
the Prayer and said, "Come storm and 
care, disaster and pain : let life continue or 
1 1 



150 Religious Similitude. 



death ensue ; I am resolved to reach the 
Zion." He bent his knees as Charity had 
instructed him many years before, and, with 
the incentive of death to prompt him to 
action, the oars were plied to the Prayer 
with almost superhuman effort, when, lo ! 
an unseen Hand pushed him through the 
mud, and joyfully did he sail with great 
rapidity in pursuit of the Zion. 

Pilgrim now said, ''The Spirit of the 
Lord God is upon me. He has given unto 
me beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for 
mourning, and the garments of praise for 
the spirit of heaviness." (Isaiah lxi. 1,3.) 

In a short time Pilgrim found himself 
again with his wife and sons and friends 
aboard the Zion, Heaven bound. 



CHAPTER VII. 



Faithful and Convert in Vanity Island 
Castle. They are brought to 
Trial before Deceit. 



After Pilgrim had reached the Zion, he 
had many unpleasant thoughts relative to 
the proposed attempt of his sons to go in 
search of him aboard such a dangerous 
vessel as the Backslide. Said he to Mrs. 
Pilgrim : 

1 'If our sons had undertaken such a per- 
ilous voyage, they beyond a doubt would 
have been lost ; for the majority of the 



152 Religious Similitude. 

Backsliders perish. I have heard Messiah 
say, ' It is impossible for those who were 
once enlightened, and have tasted the good 
word of God and the power of the world 
to come, if they shall fall away, to renew 
them again unto repentance ; seeing they 
crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh 
and put Him to an open shame.' (Hebrews 
vi. 4-6.) 

"My dear wife, if our sons had under- 
taken such a hazardous voyage on my be- 
half, and had perished in some tempest or 
terrific storm, or were slain by pirates, or 
fell victims to ferocious sea-monsters, a 
burden of sorrow would have been upon 
me for life." 

The conversation between Pilgrim and 
his wife was interrupted by the great Com- 
mander, who told him that he had egregi- 
ously sinned, "First, by lagging behind the 
Zion ; secondly, by breaking the command- 
ment which says, 'Thou shalt not covet.' 
You did covet in the act of trying to carry 
with you, from the land of Vain Glory, a 
sinful garment, a golden wedge, and many 
flowers and fruits." 



Religions Similitude. 



153 



"I had thought of bringing them for 
sacrificial purposes," said Pilgrim. 

"Behold, to obey is better than sacri- 
fice, " said Messiah. 

Pilgrim then said, "I have greatly sinned, 
and I pray Thee to forgive me." 

Messiah's reply was "You have stained 
the beautiful robe which I gave you, with 
the juicy fruits of Vain Glory, and now 
you come to Me for pardon. Did I not 
tell thee to keep thyself unspotted from 
the world?" (James i. 27.) 

Pilgrim now began to weep and say, 
"Lord, I am not worthy to live. Thou 
hast honored me with the title of Captain, 
and I deserve nothing more than the mean 
title of rebel and banishment from Thy 
peaceful presence." 

On saying this, he fell in prostration, 
when, lo ! Messiah took him up into His 
arms most affectionately and pressed him 
to His bosom, as a mother would her inno- 
cent babe. After this Messiah washed his 
robe until it was whiter than snow, "so as 
no fuller on earth could white it." 

Saying the least of him, Pilgrim was a 



iS4 



Religious Similitude, 



great atid good man. His life was distin- 
guished by many noble traits of Christian 
character. We will see him again just 
before the landing of the Zion. I would 
like to tell my readers something more 
about this valorous man, but time would 
fail me. We now must turn our attention 
to Faithful and Convert. 

Those men distinguished themselves as 
evangelists. The former was mighty in 
prayer, while the latter was an unexcelled 
pulpit orator. One day, while the Zion 
was passing the lee of a certain island, 
they beheld from deck much honey pro- 
truding from the trees along the shore. So 
they said one to another, "Let us dwell 
upon this island awhile and rest ourselves, 
and eat some of this fine honey which this 
goodly land affords." "And they saw that 
rest was good and the land was pleasant, 
and bowed their shoulders to bear, and be- 
came servants unto tribute." (Gen. xlix. 15.) 

They landed upon the island by means 
of a little vessel, called the Ease. After 
they had disembarked and tied up their 
boat, they began to partake of the honey. 



Religious Similitude. 



i55 



Now it was sweet and palatable at first, 
but afterward it was bitter to the stomach. 
They were greatly delighted with the island 
at first ; but the honey made them quite 
sick, insomuch that they sought to enter 
their little vessel and without further delay 
board the Zion. It now was dark, and they 
sought in vain to find the Ease. At last 
it became evident to them that, unless they 
became quiet, wild beasts would prey upon 
them ; for by this time the island was vo- 
ciferous with the howling of wolves, the 
roaring of lions, and the shrieking of tigers. 
So they crawled under some bushes, and, 
like twins, placed their arms around each 
other ; but they found no sleep to their 
eyes until almost the dawn of day, by 
reason of their bewilderment and sickness, 
and for fear of the ferocious beasts that 
were prowling all around them. While 
they lay in their sleeplessness, they dared 
not speak audibly to each other. 

Now one whispered to the other : ' ' How 
silly we were to stop here. The honey 
that was protruding from the trees, which 
we saw to-day, was dear honey to us," 



156 Religious Similitude. 



44 Yes," said the other; "it proved to be 
a snare to us, and I fear that we never will 
escape from this place with our lives." 

Toward the break of day it came to pass 
that they fell asleep. In their sleep they 
dreamed of being aboard the Zion, sailing 
to the blissful land, where no ferocious 
beasts ever roam, and where no night is 
ever known, and wanderings are no more. 
As they thus slept and dreamed of the 
glory-land, they were aroused by a party 
of savage-looking men, who had gleaming 
swords in their hands. They were now 
taken to a castle' and thrust into the inner 
prison. 

"Ah, where are we now?" said Faithful 
in great excitement. 

"I hardly know," said Convert, " where 
we are. I surmise that we shall perish 
here. What a pity that we suffered our- 
selves to be enticed yesterday." 

"A little honey," said Convert, ''has 
placed us in quite gloomy circumstances. 
But let us, in the event that we are brought 
before the rulers of this island, show our- 
selves true to the cause of Messiah, and, 



Religious Similitude. 



iS7 



if needs be, let us prove our faith and loy- 
alty to Him by the shedding of our life's 
blood." 

"Very well," replied Faithful; "for I 
read in my Bible, ' He that loseth his life 
for My sake shall find it.' I wonder, Broth- 
er Convert, what this island is called ; for 
surely it must be located on the chart." 

Tli en Faithful and Convert searched the 
chart that had been given them, and found 
that it was Vanity Island. 

At this moment there came down to the 
castle some officers and marched the pris- 
oners to the palace of the king, whose 
name was Deceit. Now T I saw them halt 
along as if they were being led to the gal- 
lows. On entering the palace of the king 
the}^ were set down before the judgment- 
throne, and were addressed as follows : 

"I understand that you two men were 
caught upon my dominions, and } T our busi- 
ness there I know not. Before we shall 
enter into the details of your trial, I shall 
read in }^our hearing a few points of law." 

King Deceit opened his book and read 
as follows : 



158 Religious Similitude. 



"When any foreigner lands upon the 
shores of Vanity Island, he shall not be 
guiltless unless he has a permit from the 
king. If he be captured either asleep or 
awake and brought before his majesty, he 
shall be punished according to Section 8." 

Deceit now took off his spectacles and 
wiped them and put them on again, and 
began to turn leaf after leaf, until he found 
Section 8, and read as follows: 

"If the aggressor does nothing more than 
to merely land upon Vanity Island without 
the king's consent, he shall receive forty 
stripes save one. . But if the intruder eats 
any of the honey that exudes from the trees 
of this lovely island, he shall be chastised 
as above stated and fined one hundred dol- 
lars. Further, if he pays not the fine that 
is imposed, he shall be thrust into prison 
until he has paid the last farthing.' ' 

After reading the law, King Deeceit said:. 

"Such is the revealed law relative to in- 
truding upon my Master Satan's rights. I 
would have you intruders to know that this 
island is under tribute to Emperor Satan, 
and I am appointed by his majesty as petty 



Religious Similitude. 159 



sovereign over this island. It is optional 
with me whether the written law is strictly 
adhered to or not. I can sign the death- 
warrant of any intruders, if I have a mind 
to, and lay the law aside. This liberty has 
been granted me by the emperor. I will 
not be ready to propound to you any ques- 
tions to-day ; therefore I order you to be 
taken back to the castle until I send for 
you." 

Then were Faithful and Convert taken to 
the castle again, and the jailer was charged 
to keep the prisoners in all safety; "who, 
having received such a charge, thrust them 
into the inner prison and made their feet 
fast in the stocks.' ' (Acts xvi. 24.) There 
was no light to chase away its poisonous 
vapor and drive away its dreary darkness. 
Faithful and Convert discovered many hu- 
man skulls and bones scattered over the 
dungeon. 

44 I suppose/' said Faithful, " that we will 
never be delivered from this place, but we 
shall die here. Our bones, no doubt, will 
be added to the many human bones that we 
see around us," 



160 Religious Similitude, 

"This island," said Convert, "has been 
the destruction of many Zionists. ' I did 
but taste a little honey, with the end of the 
rod that was in mine hand, and lo, I must 
die!'" (I. Samuel xiv. 43.) 

"Yes," said Faithful, "we read of King 
David getting into this humble place. He 
says, 'I cried unto the Lord with my voice; 
with my voice unto the Lord did I make 
my supplication. I poured out my com- 
plaint before Him ; I showed before Him 
my trouble. . . . Attend unto my cry, for I 
am brought very low ; deliver me from my 
persecutors, for they are stronger than I. 
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may 
praise Thy name. I waited patiently for 
the Lord, and He inclined unto me and 
heard my cry. He brought me up also out 
of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and 
set my feet upon a rock and established my 
goings ' " (Psalm cxlii. 1, 2, 6, 7 ; xl. 1, 2.) 

Then Convert said, "I never knew, Broth- 
er Faithful, what it really meant, when I 
read what you have just quoted concerning 
David, until now. But I now realize it all, 
to the bitterness of my soul." 



Religions Similitude. 161 

Faithful and Convert had quite an un- 
pleasant time of it while in the castle of 
Vanity Island. They neither ate, drank, 
nor slept, and they suffered no little pain 
by reason of their feet being in the stocks. 
The day and night seemed quite long to 
them. About the dawn of the day the next 
morning, Convert said to Faithful, 

"How is it with you, brother, this morn- 
ing?" 

"I am faint and sick in body," said 
Faithful, "but calm and peaceful in spirit 
and happy in mind." 

Now, shortly after the sun was up, they 
were sent for to appear before the king, to 
give an account of themselves. Then were 
their feet taken from the stocks, and they 
were lifted from the dungeon into light 
once more ; but they knew not, as they 
were being marched from the castle to the 
palace of the king, but what that day would 
put an end to their lives. How I pitied 
them as they went faltering along toward 
the palace, not knowing whither they went. 

On being brought before Deceit the sec- 
ond time, he said to them : 



162 



Religious Similitude. 



"I am now ready to propound to you 
some questions, which I charge you to an- 
swer. 

"Whence come you?" 

"We are from the city of Wickedness," 
replied the men. 

"Whither are you going?" 

"We are going to the Celestial City." 

"What are your names?" 

" Our names at the first were Unbelief and 
Infidel, but now are Faithful and Convert." 

"Do you know Emperor Satan?" 

"Yes, we have some knowledge of him; 
he resides in our native city." 

"What is your business here on this 
island of mine?" 

"We got out of our way, and, on seeing 
the country, concluded that we would land 
here, being ignorant of your majesty's im- 
migration laws." 

"Did you eat any of the honey that you 
saw exuding from the trees on the shore of 
this island?" 

Now the men hardly knew what reply to 
make to this question; for they desired to 
tell the truth, but feared that this time the 



Religions Similitude. 163 



truth would be more ill with them than 
falsehood. However, they could not frame 
a lie and have a good conscience ; so they 
replied as follows : 

"We did not know that it was against 
your laws for us to touch this island with- 
out your consent. Surely we did not mean 
to injure you. We with a rod just took a 
little honey ; but w r e knew not that it was 
forbidden." 

44 The ignorance of the law excuses no 
man, and you are guilty," said Deceit. "I 
now propound to you the seventh and last 
question : Do you belong to the Zion and 
are you loyal to Messiah?" 

Now I saw that Faithful and Convert 
knew not how to answer this question. 
They reasoned to themselves as follows : 
"If we make answer in the affirmative, it 
may prove ill with us ; but has not Mes- 
siah charged us to 'lie not'?" In the 
meantime, while hesitating, Faithful whis- 
pered to Convert, that "This is the catch 
question, and the king has reserved it unto 
the last, and I fear our answer to this ques- 
tion will decide our fate," 



164 Religious Similitude. 

Then said Convert, "L,et us tell the truth ; 
for it is written that ' A faithful witness will 
not lie.' 'The truth shall make you free.' " 

Now, after some little silent hesitation on 
Faithful's part, he said, "Let us, Brother 
Convert, tell the truth in defiance of death 
or anything else." 

Then the prisoners boldly told Deceit 
that they did belong to the Zion, and, to 
the best of their ability, they were loyal to 
Messiah. The king was confounded at 
their bold reply ; for he had hoped that 
they would tell him a falsehood, and in 
that event the law of the island was such 
as to condemn them to death ; for it is 
written in the law of Vanity Island, "All 
Zionists who lie to the king shall be put 
to death." 

Now the king, failing in his purpose, 
said to the prisoners, "You are guilty of 
two things in the eyes of the law : first, 
for landing upon these shores without the 
king's consent ; and second, for eating of 
the honey of the island." Then said De- 
ceit to Faithful and Convert, "The penalty 
of your offense demands, first, that you 



Religions Similitude. 



shall be beaten with forty stripes save one ; 
second, that you shall each be fined one 
hundred dollars; and third, that you shall 
be banished from the island. I am glad," 
said the king, "to inform you, that, at the 
last session of the Senate which convened 
in Wickedness, the eighth section of this 
code was modified with a proviso. Now 
let me read to you the proviso: 'If the 
aggressor will swear eternal allegiance to 
Emperor Satan, chastisement and fine will 
be averted.' You now may have the bene- 
fit of this proviso. Will you give up your 
voyage to the Celestial City and throw off 
your allegiance to Messiah and swear eter- 
nal allegiance to Satan? If so, come now 
forward and be sworn." 

Poor fellows, how I pitied them as they 
viewed the lash that was to lacerate their 
backs, in the event they did not comply 
with the proviso. Then was there again 
some hesitation on their part. In the mean- 
time they considered the matter well. To 
give up the Zion they could not do. 

Faithful now said to Convert, ' 1 Dear 
brother, to swear allegiance to Satan means 



i66 



Religious Similitude, 



to give up the Zion, to denounce her lovely 
Commander ; it means to forfeit Heaven. 
We cannot afford to do this for the sake 
of our lives." 

Deceit now did his utmost to induce 
Faithful and Convert to swear allegiance 
to the emperor. He tried to scare them 
into measures by threatening their lives. 
But they bravely told him, "To die is 
gain." 

Deceit also tried to bribe them by offer- 
ing them large sums of money, if they 
would swear allegiance to Satan. But their 
reply was that' they would not do that for 
the consideration of any sum of money — 
"yea, not for much fine gold." 

The king then proposed to put them in 
authority, and to appoint them to represent 
his court in Wickedness, in the presence of 
his Majesty Satan, if they would bow the 
knee to him. But this proposition was not 
accepted. 

Deceit then offered to make them rulers 
over many islands and countries, and give 
them thrones and dominions, and to put 
crowns upon their heads and coronets upon 



Religious Similitude. 



167 



their brows. But not for the sake of roy- 
alty did they consent to worship Satan. 

King Deceit, being now completely baf- 
fled, commanded that they should be beaten 
without mercy. Their shirts were removed, 
and Giant Hard Heart, a half-brother to the 
king, and Sergeant Persecution laid upon 
the naked backs of Faithful and Convert 
many stripes, beyond the prescription of 
the law of Vanity Island, insomuch as to 
cause the blood to flow profusely; but none 
of these things moved them. While they 
were receiving this wretched treatment, the 
mean islanders jeered and wagged their 
heads, saying, "So be it unto all Zionists." 
But the prisoners sang praises, and thanked 
God that they were worthy to suffer for His 
sake, saying, "Through much tribulation 
we must enter into the kingdom of God. 
We glory in tribulations, knowing that tribu- 
lation worketh patience, and patience ex- 
perience, and experience hope, and hope 
maketh not ashamed, because the love of 
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the 
Holy Ghost, which is given unto us." 

After they had left off beating Faithful 



1 68 Religious Similitude. 

and Convert, Deceit said, "Now pay your 
fine, which is one hundred dollars each, 
and flee from this island in all haste, or 
your lives will be taken. In case you are 
not able to pay your fine, you shall be cast 
into the castle and become food for worms." 

Now Convert took out of his pocket his 
purse, and began to count his money, when, 
lo, he had not so much as a hundred dol- 
lars. "What shall I do?" said he to 
Faithful; "for I can't pay my fine." 

Then Faithful told him that he would 
pay whatever he lacked ; for it is written, 
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so 
fulfill the law of Christ." 

' ' How much do you lack of having 
enough to pay your fine, my brother?" said 
Faithful. 

"Twenty-five dollars," responded Con- 
vert. 

Then did Faithful give to Convert the 
needed money, and so they both paid their 
fines and took their departure. As they 
went away, Convert said, 

"I thank you, Brother Faithful, a thou- 
sand times, for helping me ; for if you had 



Religious Similitude. 



169 



not done this, I would have died in the 
fearful dungeon." 

Faithful replied as follows: " Brother, the 
Bible tells us, ' Whosoever hath this world's 
goods, and seeth his brother hath need, and 
shutteth up his bowels of compassion from 
him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?' 
And that ' Though I speak with the tongues 
of men and of angels, and have not charity, 
I am become as sounding brass or a tink- 
ling cymbal. And though I have the gift 
of prophecy, and understand all mysteries 
and all knowledge, and though I have all 
faith so that I could remove mountains, and 
have not charity, I am nothing/ " 

And now I saw, when Faithful and Con- 
vert got down to the beach, that, to their 
delight, Boanerges came along with a vessel 
called the Gospel, and took them aboard, 
and they went on their way rejoicing. 




CHAPTER VIII. 



The: Landing of the Zion. 



As the Gospel overtook the Zion, there 
was much joy manifested on board over the 
return of Faithful and Convert. After the 
merriment of the Zionists ceased, Messiah 
took some soothing ointment and mollified 
the "wounds and bruises" of the maltreated 
men; for they had not "been closed, nei- 
ther bound up, neither mollified with oint- 
ment.' J 

There were also given them bread and 
wine, and the men were greatly strength- 



Religious Similitude, 



171 



ened, and it was not long until they were 
healed of all their stripes. They were more 
devout in the future, being efficient in the 
stations of life in which they were called. 

Messiah now, in the presence of all His 
people, made the following remarks : 

"My beloved children, hearken unto Me. 
We are far advanced on the voyage to 
Heaven. I rejoice that there are so many 
aboard the grand old ship of Zion. You 
have had many conflicts along the way, but 
have overcome them all through Him that 
loved you. In a short time the Zion will 
reach the land, and anchors will be cast, and 
sails will be furled, and the voyage will be 
forever ended. No more shall }^ou be ex- 
posed to the storms and difficulties of Time's 
ocean. A few more conflicts, a few more 
swelling surges, and the land of glorious 
immortality will be reached, where conflicts 
never come and surges swell no more. 

"You have had many afflictions and tri- 
als and sorrows and bereavements on this 
voyage ; but soon they will all be over, 
and God shall wipe all tears away, and you 
shall shine in glorious beauty, 'as the stars 



172 



Religions Similitude. 



forever and ever/ Those loved ones of 
yours who were torn from your embrace 
during the storms of the past, you will 
soon meet again. 

''In My Father's house are many man- 
sions : if it were not so I would have told 
you. Blessed are they that do His com- 
mandments ; for they shall have a right to 
the tree of life, and shall enter in through 
the gates into the city. The city has no 
need of the sun, neither of the moon, to 
shine in it ; for the glory of God doth 
lighten it, and the Lamb is the light there- 
of. The streets of the city are pure gold, 
as it were transparent glass. In the midst 
of the streets of the city, and on either 
side of the river of life, is there the tree 
of life, which bears twelve manner of fruits, 
and yields her fruit every month ; and the 
leaves of the tree are for the healing of 
the nations. I am Alpha and Omega, the 
beginning and the end, the first and the 
last." 

I saw now, when Messiah had finished 
His address, the 2ion entered a place called 
the Damps, by reason of the darkness of 



Religions Similitude, 173 



the water and the heaviness of the atmos- 
phere. The waves also ran high here, and 
the £ion was enveloped in darkness, inso- 
much that the people could not see any 
distance before them. But I saw that the 
Commander could see forward into light. 

Faithful, on seeing that darkness had 
spread her sable wings all about the vessel, 
remarked to Convert : 

"How glad I am that we are now safely 
housed aboard the Zion, and are not left to 
the uncertainty of any open vessel, such as 
the Lukewarm, the Backslide, the Ease, the 
Formality, or the Human Creed ; for we 
would perish while struggling in this dreary 
darkness." 

The darkness became more and more in- 
tense "upon the face of the deep." 

"Many years ago," said Convert, "the 
Patriarch Abraham passed this way, and he 
speaks of it as 'a horror of great darkness' 
which fell upon him. (Genesis xv. 12.) 

"Job represents this place as 'a land of 
darkness, as darkness itself, and of the 
shadow of death, without any order, and 
where the light is as darkness.' (Job x. 22.) 



174 



Religious Similitude. 



"Paul, in passing through this place, 
says, ' neither sun nor stars in many days 
appeared, and no small tempest lay on us.' 

"Solomon admonishes that the necessary 
preparation should be made before the ter- 
ror of this dark tide is entered : ' Remember 
now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, 
while the evil days come not, when thou 
shalt say, I have no pleasure in them ; 
while the sun, or the light, or the moon, 
or the stars be darkened, nor the clouds 
return after the rain.' " (Bccles. xii. i, 2.) 

Soon after the Zion entered the Damps, 
the tempest began to beat upon her, and 
billows began to surge against her sides in 
a violent manner, which added greatly to 
the distress of all on board. The vessel 
was tossed to and fro by the wind and 
waves, insomuch as to create much sick- 
ness ; and I heard some of the Zionists 
murmur ; but none regretted that they had 
ever set sail for Heaven. 

I saw that the sickness of the Zionists 
was in proportion to their courage and 
faith. Pilgrim, wife, and sons, Faithful, 
Convert, Miss Humility, and many others 



Religious Similitude. 175 

bore this trial with great fortitude. How- 
ever, there were a few people, even when 
the Zion was so near the land, that had not 
the necessary fortitude and courage to bear 
this ordeal. Mrs. Painthope, poor woman, 
died in spite of all that could be done. 
Also, Mr. Tepid fell into a swoon and 
yielded up the ghost. Mrs. Indifference, 
the widow of Captain Indifference, who 
was executed by order of the emperor of 
Wickedness, did not survive the sickness of 
the Damps. These feeble ones died when 
almost in sight of the Celestial City — 
not realizing that ''the just shall live by 
faith." 

There was a watchman placed upon the 
Zion's tower during the time of crossing the 
Damps. After many hours Convert inter- 
rogated him in the following manner : 

"Watchman, what of the night?" 

The reply was, "The morning cometh." 

This response of the watchman created 
joy on board. Cannons were fired, banners 
waved, and orchestra attuned in strains of 
melody, as a signal that morning was dawn- 
ing. As the water began to grow silvery, 



176 Religious Similitude, 



by reason of a grayish light, I heard the 
following chanted : 

' "Twill not be long, our journey here: 
Each broken sigh and falling tear 
Will soon be gone, and all will be 
A cloudless sky, a waveless sea." 

The 2ion, having sailed beyond the 
Damps, entered the Tranquil Bay. It now 
became evident to all aboard that land was 
near ; for birds of beautiful plumes were 
flying all about the ship, and flowers were 
seen floating upon the waters, while the 
air was filled with fragrance. The fol- 
lowing lines were chanted in transporting 
strains : 

"A sweet perfume upon the breeze 
Is borne from ever vernal trees, 
And flowers that never fading grow 
Where streams of life forever flow." 

The following conversation was now en- 
tered into by Pilgrim and Steadfast : 

"We are very near the Celestial City/' 
said Steadfast. 

"Yes, Brother Steadfast," replied Pilgrim. 



Religions Similitude. 177 



"'Our strongest trials now are past, 

Our triumph is begun, 
I know we're nearing the holy ranks 

Of friends and kindred dear; 
For I brush the dews on Jordan's banks, 

The crossing must be near.'" 

"How is it with you?" inquired Stead- 
fast of Pilgrim. 

The reply was, "I realize perfect triumph. 
The best of all is, God is with us," 

"What are all the trials and storms of 
the past," said Steadfast in great ecstasy, 
' ' when compared with what I now realize ? 
O Heaven, how glorious thou art!" 

Pilgrim now interrogated the watchman 
as follows : 

" Watchman, tell me, does the morning 
Of fair Zion's glory dawn? 
Have the signs that mark His coming 
Yet upon the ocean shone?" 

"Pilgrim, yes; arise, look round thee : 
Light is breaking in the skies. 

Spurn the unbelief that bound thee : 
Morning dawns, — arise, arise ! 

See the glorious light ascending 
Of the grand Sabbatic Year." 



178 



Religious Similitude. 



"Watchman, yes; I see, just yonder, 
Canaan's glorious heights arise; 
Salem, too, in peace and grandeur, 
Towering 'neath her sunlit skies." 

"Pilgrim, in that golden city, 

Seated on the jasper throne, 
lion's King, arrayed in beauty, 

Reigns in peace, from zone to zone, 
There, on verdant hills and mountains, 

Where the golden sunbeams play, 
Purling streams and crystal fountains 

Sparkle in eternal day. 
Pilgrim, see ! the light is beaming 

Brighter still upon the way ; 
Signs through all the sea are gleaming, 

Omens of the coming day." 

I saw now that the Zion was passing 
through enchanted waters, and all aboard 
were exuberant in spirit, as the shore ap- 
peared in view. In rapture of joy did the 
Zionists sing : 

' 4 L,and ahead, its fruits are waving 
O'er the fields of fadeless green." 

The Celestial City could now be seen. 
Her towering spires and shining gates and 



Religious Similitude. T79 

burnished walls and golden streets flashed 
in the light of endless day. 

Now there was an innumerable company 
of shining ones standing at the wharf, wait- 
ing the lion's arrival. 

"Who are these?" inquired Convert. 

An angel replied, "These are they who 
have come out of great tribulation, and 
have washed their robes and made them 
white in the blood of the Lamb." 

Many of the Zionists thought of reaching 
the wharf without any further difficulty ; 
but they had overlooked an ocean current 
which crossed the Zion's path at the term- 
inus of the Tranquil Bay. This current, 
as viewed from the deck, appeared like a 
distant mountain, black as ebon. As the 
Zion neared the current, everything seemed 
to be dreary, and the people aboard feared 
greatly. 

"What is that?" was the inquiry of 
many. 

"That is an ocean current, which must 
be crossed before any can enter Heaven," 
Messiah answered. "The dark current is 
called Death. All from Adam down to the 



i So Religions Similitude, 

present have crossed it, save Enoch and 
Elijah." 

Now when the Zionists saw that the cur- 
rent of Death must be crossed before land 
was reached, the} 7 took courage and said, 

"Messiah will steer us through safely. 

i 1 Roll on, dark stream: 

We dread not thy foam : 
The pilgrim is longing 
For home, sweet home." 

All of a sudden the vessel plunged into 
the current, and it became intensely dark 
to all on board. A violent tempest beat 
upon the ship, and waves dashed against 
her sides, insomuch that some said, 

"I fear! I fear!" 

But the Ship-master said, 

"Fear not; for I am with thee. Oh be 
not dismayed. Be of good cheer." 

The Zionists now became happy. They 
sang, shouted, and triumphed. Pilgrim, on 
gazing toward the shore, exclaimed, 

"Thy will be done. All is well! All is 
well ! 

As the Zion was being tossed hither and 



Religious Similitude. 181 

thither by the surging waves of Death, the 
passengers became quite chilly, and I heard 
a young lady ask if it were snowing. At 
first the hands and feet grew cold and 
numb ; then the cheek grew pale and the 
tongue would falter ; finally, the body be- 
came cold and stiff, and the heart ceased 
to beat. 

I saw now that the Zion passed through 
the current and entered the Blissful Harbor. 
The waters become placid and sparkling. 
Golden sands became perceptible beneath, 
glittering towers and shining shores were 
just beyond, and cloudless skies smiled 
above. 

The Zion now arrived in full view of 
Heaven's wharf. Multitudes of shining 
ones were on shore, waving banners. The 
sound of heavenly voices wafted over the 
breeze, bringing a happy welcome to the 
passengers, who now stood on deck, view- 
ing the shining shore. At this moment 
thousands of kerchiefs waved in token of 
greeting, while the golden sky became full 
of celestial music. 

"I see my darling daughter," exclaimed 
13 



l82 



Religious Similitude, 



Mrs. Pilgrim, "who left me many years 
ago. Many tears have I shed in bitter 
bereavement, as I thought of her during 
the past. Ah ! there she stands at the 
beautiful gate, waiting and watching for 
me." 

"Oh look! how beautiful!" exclaimed 
Steadfast transportingly. "Twenty years 
ago I, a wretched sinner, stood by my dar- 
ling wife as her life was ebbing out. Well 
do I remember how she took my hand in 
hers and said, 'My dear husband, I now 
must leave you. Will you promise to meet 
me in Heaven?'' After some hesitation my 
reply was, 'I will, God being my Helper.' 
In confirmation of the promise I made her, 
my arms embraced her and my tears moist- 
ened her deathly cheeks. Well do I re- 
member how her tongue faltered as she 
uttered the bitter 'farhwku.' 

"I have been twenty years on the way, 
but, glory to God, I am coming to land to 
meet my darling Lizzie." 

"I was left an orphan upon the bosom of 
a cold-hearted world," said Miss Humility. 
"Many storms I have experienced, and 



Religious Similitude. 



many hardships have I endured, upon the 
stormy deep, — 'in perils of waters, in perils 
of robbers, in perils by mine own country- 
men, in perils by the heathen, in perils in 
the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils 
in the sea, in perils among false brethren ; 
in weariness and painfulness, in watchings 
often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, 
in cold and nakedness.' Hosanna to Zion's 
Commander ! for steering me safely through 
all the dangers of the past, and bringing 
me safe to land, that I may meet with my 
sainted mother where dangers are not, and 
sorrows never come, and partings are no 
more . Mother ! home ! Heaven ! ' ' 

The Misses Firmness clapped their hands 
in great ecstacy and said, "Dear father has 
come to the wharf to meet us." 

I heard many more such exclamations of 
greeting ; but time would fail me even to 
mention them. 

The Zion now pushed alongside the wharf, 
and the voyage was ended. Never was there 
such a happy meeting and greeting of loved 
ones since the world was created. Angels 
cheered and trumpets sounded. "Music, 



184 Religious Similitude. 

with her silver sound" and swelling num- 
bers, rolled harmoniously, insomuch as to 
make Heaven vocal with her strains of 
praise, while ''all the sons of God shouted 
for joy. ' ' The accent, ' ' Home ! home ! 
home!" was enough to ravish the soul. 

Sometimes I bowed my head and wept ; 
sometimes I laughed, as I stood up in the 
enchantment. The effect was so overpower- 
ing at times that I felt I could not endure 
it. At last I shouted : 

" I cannot, I cannot forbear 

These passionate longings for home. 
Oh, when shall my spirit be there? 
Oh, when will the messenger come?" 

"Whether in the body or out of the 
body, I cannot tell: God knoweth." After 
this I heard a voice, saying: 

"Come, ye blessed of My Father; inherit 
the kingdom prepared for you from the 
foundation of the world." 

Now I saw that Messiah conducted the 
Zionists into a spacious hall, and arrayed 
them in exceedingly white raiment that 
outshone the sun; and said He, "this cor- 



Religious Similitude. 



ruptible must put on incorruption, and this 
mortal must put on immortality." 

There now "was silence in Heaven for 
the space of half an hour." After this did 
I see "of every tongue and kindred ten 
thousand times ten thousand and thousands 
of thousands" of the heavenly host march 
up toward the shining gates, amid the en- 
raptured music of the skies. 

Now did they all look alike. There was 
no difference between Methodists and Bap- 
tists, Presbyterians and Episcopalians ; but 
they were all called the children of God. 

Just before the gates were reached, I 
heard a voice saying, 

"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be 
ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors ; and let 
the blessed of My Father come in." 

Suddenly the gates swung open wide, 
and all the "innumerable multitude" en- 
tered lt in through the gates into the city." 
Over the gates was written: "The gift of 
God is eternal life through Jesus Christ 
the Lord." 

As I looked in after the throng, I saw 
that the streets were of gold. At this mo- 



i86 



Religions Similitude. 



ment the gates were closed, and I could 
neither see nor hear anything more. I 
wished that the time of my departure was 
at hand; yet, resigned to God's will, "all 
the days of my appointed time will I wait 
till my change come." 



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